Neophobia

Neophobia is the fear or avoidance of new things or experiences. The term is often used to describe reluctance to try unfamiliar foods (food neophobia), but it can also apply to new objects, places, or situations in humans and other animals.

In humans, food neophobia is most common in childhood, typically emerging during the toddler years and gradually diminishing with age, though it can persist into adulthood for some individuals. It is influenced by a combination of genetic predispositions, temperament, prior exposure, parental attitudes, and cultural context. While neophobia can serve an adaptive purpose by limiting intake of potentially risky unknown substances, persistent or severe neophobia can lead to limited dietary variety, nutritional gaps, or distress in social eating contexts.

Assessment of food neophobia often relies on the Food Neophobia Scale (FNS) developed by Pliner and Hobden in 1992, which measures trait-level reluctance to try new foods. In children, caregiver reports and observational methods supplement experimental tasks that present novel foods and measure approach or consumption latency. Cultural factors also shape the expression and manageability of neophobia.

In animals, neophobia is widespread and can affect foraging, exploration, and responses to novel environments or stimuli. It is typically studied with novel-object and novel-food tests; while it can reduce exposure to potential dangers, excessive neophobia can hinder adaptation, especially when environments change rapidly. Neophobia can be modulated by repeated exposure, social learning, and conditioning.

Clinically, neophobia is not a disorder by itself, but persistent severe food neophobia can contribute to conditions such as avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) in children. Management focuses on gradual exposure, positive modeling, and ensuring adequate nutrition without coercion.