You Are What You Eat

July 5, 2001 -- The following is an excerpt of Charlie Gibson's GMA interview with Dr. Alan Hirsch — a psychiatrist who believes that the flavor ice cream you eat determines the type of person you are.

CHARLES GIBSON:You've heard the old expression 'You are what you eat.' You're aboutto meet a psychiatrist who says 'You are what ice cream you eat.' Hesays you can tell someone's personality from the flavor of ice creamthey most prefer. He's written a book called "What Flavor Is YourPersonality?" He is Dr. Alan Hirsch. And you've tested this thesis, right?

DR. ALAN HIRSCH:

Well, that's right. We looked at 18,631 people sponsored by EdyDreyers Ice Cream. What we did is we looked at personality types.We did MMPIs, MCMIs…...

GIBSON:What do all those initials mean?

HIRSCH:All personality tests, and we were able to categorize theirpersonality type. Then we looked at their food preferences and whichice cream they liked the most. And we were able to collate themtogether, very much like a projected test.

GIBSON:Did you do a CC test on them?

HIRSCH:A C…

GIBSON:That's chocolate chip.

HIRSCH:Well, it's like a projective test like a Rorschach. You just look atthe inkblot and you say, 'This looks like either a butterfly or abat,' and depending on how you interpret it, you're able to gaininsight into their personality. And we did the same thing with icecreams.

GIBSON:OK. And I told you that I like natural mint chocolate chip.

HIRSCH:Yeah, that's right.

GIBSON:What does that mean?

HIRSCH:Well, people who like mint chocolate chip are very much like thosewho like chocolate chip.

GIBSON:Right.

HIRSCH:They tend to be very success-oriented and driven,achievement-oriented. They're also generous and charming in socialsituations, but they're the conquerors — the leaders of industry.

GIBSON:Well, let's go over that again. Charming in social situations, andwhat else?

HIRSCH:Generous.

GIBSON:Generous. Right.

TONY PERKINS:

Generous!

HIRSCH:Achievement-oriented, successful —

GIBSON:Achievement-oriented. Successful. Thank you very much.

HIRSCH:Those who were voted most likely to succeed in school forinstance.

GIBSON:Oh, this test is perfect. It's absolutely perfect.

HIRSCH:They're also most romantically compatible…

GIBSON:Absolutely.

HIRSCH:…with people who like caramel or butter pecan.

GIBSON:Do you like butter pecan?

DIANE SAWYER:No. I hate butter pecan. I do. I like caramel, but I like caramel that tastes like vanilla withcaramel in it.

GIBSON:What's that say about her?

HIRSCH:Well, people who like caramel with vanilla are very much like thosewho like butter pecan…

GIBSON:Right.

HIRSCH:…similar personality types. And they're perfectionists.

GIBSON:Romantically inclined toward chocolate chip.

HIRSCH:They have very high ideals and standards. They have highscruples, integrity.

GIBSON:What?

HIRSCH:They also…

SAWYER:So they have good legs?

HIRSCH:They sometimes avoid saying what they truly mean so they don'thurt other people's feelings. And they are, but they are a'take charge' sort of person.

GIBSON:Oh, that's for sure.

SAWYER:That makes Antonio and me, right?

ANTONIO MORA:Yeah, I used to be a cookies-and-cream kind of guy until Ifound this dulce la leche and caramel. This is it. This is it.Have you tried this flavor?

GIBSON:Yes, I have. There is not a kind of ice cream I have not had.

PERKINS:Antonio actually likes most flavors. I'm chocolate. How aboutchocolate?

MORA:I have them all here, Tony.

HIRSCH:People who like chocolate are like those who like chocolate chip, andwhat they are is they tend to be extroverts. They tend to beexciting. They crave novelty, and they like to be the center ofattention. They're theatrical, and they are most romanticallycompatible with people who like strawberries and cream.

PERKINS:Oh, but I'll have to check on that and make sure that's what shelikes.

GIBSON:Now tell me, what if you just like plain old vanilla?

HIRSCH:Well, you know, you'd think vanilla would be a blah personality. We found it was just the opposite. People wholike vanilla are exciting, energetic. They're the life of the party.

GIBSON:Vanilla lovers out here, raise your hands. (Yells heard from the crowd)

GIBSON:Lots of lifes of the party here. Chocolate lovers? (Yells heard from the crowd)

GIBSON:Is there some flavor where the people are just schlumps?

HIRSCH:Well, each one has a different perspective, but people who likebanana cream pie are — they're empathic, understanding, they are theperfect spouse or parents. As a matter of fact, Ichanged my favorite preference to banana cream pie after we did thestudy.

GIBSON:You did? Just because you liked the personality? They're eating my chocolate chip!

SAWYER:That's because you're generous.

PERKINS:I want to be better in social situations.

GIBSON:Maybe not so generous when it comes to giving away thechocolate chip. Dr. Hirsch, thank you very much. It's been fun. Appreciate it.

HIRSCH:Thank you.