Final answer:
Research suggests that visual cues, like the shape of a glass, can significantly influence our perception of quantity, affecting consumption choices and portion control.
Step-by-step explanation:
Research on visual cues and consumption suggests that consumers will judge a taller glass as holding more fluid than a wider glass. This is because the vertical dimension tends to dominate our perception of size, leading us to perceive the taller glass as having a greater volume even when the two glasses hold the same amount. This psychological phenomenon is recognized in various contexts, including when food is served in multiple smaller serving size packages or cans of different food types are raced down an inclined plane. Understanding visual cues can help individuals practice portion control and make healthier consumption choices, aligning with the economic principle of diminishing marginal utility, which states as consumption of a product increases, the additional satisfaction gained from consuming an additional unit decreases.