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Vegetarian Social, Psychological and Moral Development

 

IQ in Childhood and Vegetarianism in Adulthood: 1970 British Cohort Study

Submitted on Aug 30, 2008 (Original item from 1970)
by University of Southampton, University of Edinburgh, City University, University of Glasgow
This research found that children with higher intelligence, as measured through intelligence quotient (IQ) tests, are more likely to report being vegetarian as adults. Evidence of the potential benefits of a vegetarian diet to the heart may also explain why higher IQ children or adolescents have a reduced risk of coronary disease in adult life.

The Interactive Effect of Cultural Symbols and Human Values on Taste Evaluation

Submitted on Jul 24, 2008 (Original item from 2008) |
by University of Sydney, University of Nashville, National Engineer School for Food Industries and Management

A research study examining the symbolic meaning of foods and beverages found that when participants tasted meat, they were more what influenced by what they thought they had eaten than what they had actually eaten. The study's authors conclude that "Participants who ate the vegetarian alternative did not rate the taste and aroma less favorably than those who ate the beef product. Instead, what influenced taste evaluation was what they thought they had eaten and whether that food symbolized values that they personally supported."

"I Don't Like Meat to Look Like Animals": How Consumer Behavior Responds to Animal Rights Campaigns

Submitted on Jul 23, 2008 (Original item from 2008) | | |
by Michelle Blake
Consumers are largely isolated from the moral implications of their choices by numerous mechanisms that allow them to dissociate their use of animals from the suffering of animals. The literature review portion of this thesis examines the psychological and cultural constructs that present unique challenges to animal rights as a social movement. From that contextual backdrop, this thesis then evaluates consumer response to three major campaigns conducted by HSUS and PETA between 1980 and the present. The campaigns are vegetarianism and factory farming, the anti-fur movement, and the campaign against cosmetics testing on animals. While consumer response has been mixed, there are other outcomes from those campaigns that signal broader cultural changes. [Excepted from report]

The Persuasion Problem

Submitted by Che on May 07, 2008 | |
In part 2 of our four-part series discussing Martin Balluch’s essay, "Abolitionism vs. Reformism," we address why public education is not enough to create real change for animals. Persuasion is inherently limited by human nature and the mechanics of population growth. While animal advocates should continue to work on persuasion to achieve public support, it should be used more strategically and in support of more pervasive, system-wide changes.

Abolitionism versus Reformism

Submitted on Apr 29, 2008 (Original item from 2007) | |
by Verein Gegen Tierfabriken (Against Animal Factories)
In this essay, Austrian animal advocate Martin Balluch argues that reform-based and abolition-based animal advocacy are inextricably linked in a "welfare-rights continuum" that makes it very difficult to achieve meaningful change through public education and persuasion. Instead, Balluch argues, widespread change for animals will only come through altering the system itself, by changing the balance of power and codifying animal-friendly laws and policies. [Note: Balluch welcomes comments and feedback on his essay at vgt@vgt.at]

Study Shows 7.3 Million Americans are Vegetarians

Submitted on Apr 19, 2008 (Original item from 2008)
by Vegetarian Times

According to the "Vegetarianism in America study by Vegetarian Times Magazine, 3.2% of U.S. adults, or 7.3 million people, follow a vegetarian-based diet. Approximately 0.5%, or 1 million adults, are vegans, who consume no animal products at all. In addition, 10% of U.S. adults, or 22.8 million people, say they largely follow a vegetarian-inclined diet. Data on age, gender, and other demographics were also included.

Influences on Meat Avoidance Among British Students

Submitted on Mar 06, 2008 (Original item from 1995) |
by University of Birmingham
This study of undergraduate students who had just chosen a vegetarian dish in a campus dining hall reported a variety of meat avoidance habits prior to arrival at the University. The reasons given for this behavior were diverse, but always included at least two of the following factors: ethics of raising/killing animals; concern for health; sensory factors; disgust; and influence of friends.

Men and Vegetarianism: Motivations and Barriers to Becoming Vegetarian

Submitted on Jan 30, 2008 (Original item from 2007)
by F. Liberty Mulkani, Cambridge College
This research study in support of a graduate thesis examines the motivations for and barriers to men becoming vegetarian, as identified based on personal interviews with 10 vegetarian males in the Vancouver, B.C. area.

Maintaining Vegetarian Diets: Personal Factors, Social Networks, and Environmental Resources

Submitted on Jan 10, 2008 (Original item from 1998) |
by Journal of the Canadian Dietetic Association
For this study, 19 vegetarians were interviewed to investigate the factors that influence the maintenance of a vegetarian diet, including personal factors (internal beliefs, skills, and habits), social networks (organized groups, friends), and environmental resources (availability of vegetarian foods, etc.).

Checkoff Tracks Activist Groups' Influence on Kids

Submitted on Jan 08, 2008 (Original item from 2007) | | |
by Pork Checkoff
Activist groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) are affecting children's meat-eating habits, according to research by the Pork Checkoff. One-third of respondents (ages 9-14) had heard of or visited the PETA website, and 53% of these children indicated that the web site/video had impacted their eating habits in some way.
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