This is much like McDonalds getting around the "dilemma of the fixed stomach" by adding larger sizes, so people don't feel as gluttonous. The whole concept of marketing to people's ingrained behavioral flaws to make them consume more than they need just smells foul to me. - Joel Webber

It's also variety. I've seen studies suggesting people eat more when a larger variety of dishes are served because they want to "try everything". Think of the "buffet effect", you'll eat more not just because it's free-refills, but because there's often oodles and oodles of things to eat. The firm time I traveled to China, I was shocked by the fact that their "large coke" was about the size of a small coke here. - Ray Cromwell

Interestingly, I think we may be seeing a new tactic come about. I've noticed smaller sized items in the stores - for a premium or at the same price. I'm talking about single-serving items, not bulk. There's probably a well-heeled group of the population that will pay the same price for a smaller size - less waste, less temptation. - Andrew Bowers

@Andrew: so really savvy consumers would buy the cheaper larger sizes then immediately throw half of it away so it won't tempt them :-) There's a cool book called Mean Genes that suggests strategies like that. Good read. - Bruce Johnson

@Bruce, or buy one to share with multiple people. Thanks for the book suggestion. I'll check it out. - Andrew Bowers

If I find myself in a Tchotchkie's type restaurant, I just order an appetizer most of the time. It's a bit more expensive per calorie or unit mass, but better than sitting in front of a bunch of food (usually starches or bread) that I don't want. - Joel Webber

True. Must save some room for that death by chocolate. - Andrew Bowers