How Does the Motive for Having a Vegetarian Lifestyle Influence an Individual's Perception?
Location
FA-202
Start Date
28-4-2023 10:40 AM
Department
Psychology
Abstract
The purpose of this study will be to investigate if having different motives (i.e., financial, health, environmental friendliness, or social pressure) for a vegetarian lifestyle influences an individual's perception. For the current study, participants will be asked to read four (counterbalanced) vignettes about a target individual that differ as a function of their motivation for following a vegetarian diet. The participants will then be asked to rate the target in the vignette on a 10-item attribute measure (e.g., intelligent, likable, friendly) that will be scored on a 5-point Likert-type scale. We hypothesize that individuals who practice vegetarianism for environmental reasons will receive a more favorable rating due to their altruistic behavior relative to the other motivation conditions. The data will be analyzed by using a one-way within-subjects ANOVA on the aggregated attribute score. This research is necessary because it can indicate how individuals with the same dietary lifestyle can be judged differently if their motive is self-regarding or ethical. Furthermore, understanding these dynamics are important for developing effective strategies to promote plant-based diets and reduce meat consumption, as well as for improving the social acceptance and perception of vegetarians.
Faculty Sponsor
Amanda Dykema-Engblade, Northeastern Illinois University
How Does the Motive for Having a Vegetarian Lifestyle Influence an Individual's Perception?
FA-202
The purpose of this study will be to investigate if having different motives (i.e., financial, health, environmental friendliness, or social pressure) for a vegetarian lifestyle influences an individual's perception. For the current study, participants will be asked to read four (counterbalanced) vignettes about a target individual that differ as a function of their motivation for following a vegetarian diet. The participants will then be asked to rate the target in the vignette on a 10-item attribute measure (e.g., intelligent, likable, friendly) that will be scored on a 5-point Likert-type scale. We hypothesize that individuals who practice vegetarianism for environmental reasons will receive a more favorable rating due to their altruistic behavior relative to the other motivation conditions. The data will be analyzed by using a one-way within-subjects ANOVA on the aggregated attribute score. This research is necessary because it can indicate how individuals with the same dietary lifestyle can be judged differently if their motive is self-regarding or ethical. Furthermore, understanding these dynamics are important for developing effective strategies to promote plant-based diets and reduce meat consumption, as well as for improving the social acceptance and perception of vegetarians.