Sensory Science

This article provides an overview of the principles and practices of sensory science. As a discipline, sensory science derives its theoretical rationale and methodologies from a variety of disciplines, particularly experimental psychology. Key issues in the field include how best to determine thresholds and sample differences, how to measure intensity and liking, and how to provide descriptive lexicons for consumer products. Although traditionally, the specialty of sensory evaluation has had a major focus on the product, a more recent shift in focus has been toward understanding the consumer and those influences that shape perceptions, preferences, and behaviors.