another environmental factor influencing levels of food neophobia is the current arousal level of the individual. trying a new food is an arousing experience, and if the person prefers to maintain a lower arousal level in general, then he or she might avoid new foods as a method of managing his or her current arousal level. also, if people are currently experiencing situations with a lot of novelty and are therefore more aroused, they might be reluctant to try new foods as doing so would increase their arousal level to an uncomfortable level. this example can help explain why americans visiting a foreign country might be less likely to try a new food item and instead gravitate towards the familiar mcdonald’s food.