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Protecting animals, until dinner? Investigating the existence of Meat-Related Cognitive Dissonance among veterinary students in Sweden

Soilemezi, Lydia LU (2022) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20222
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
Even though animal farming is one of the leading causes of climate change and more people in the west are raising concerns over animal welfare, meat consumption here is high and expected to rise. This thesis examines the reasoning and tensions that arise when omnivores’ dietary choices clash with their love for animals by studying how the concept of the meat paradox and cognitive dissonance theory can be explained among veterinary students in Sweden. Results show that Meat Related Cognitive Dissonance respondents unanimously argued that they only consume humanely produced meat, yet taste was voted as the primary justification for eating meat. Political beliefs were identified as the biggest MRCD predictor and the availability of... (More)
Even though animal farming is one of the leading causes of climate change and more people in the west are raising concerns over animal welfare, meat consumption here is high and expected to rise. This thesis examines the reasoning and tensions that arise when omnivores’ dietary choices clash with their love for animals by studying how the concept of the meat paradox and cognitive dissonance theory can be explained among veterinary students in Sweden. Results show that Meat Related Cognitive Dissonance respondents unanimously argued that they only consume humanely produced meat, yet taste was voted as the primary justification for eating meat. Political beliefs were identified as the biggest MRCD predictor and the availability of plant-based products was found to be a key factor to enable decreased meat consumption. To counter the meat paradox and reduce meat
consumption government-initiated information campaigns, in addition to engagements between animal welfare activists and veterinary students could influence dietary choices. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Soilemezi, Lydia LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20222
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
meat paradox, cognitive dissonance, veterinary students, animal welfare, meat reduction, plant based, sustainability science
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2022:052
language
English
id
9101986
date added to LUP
2022-10-19 14:40:24
date last changed
2022-10-20 16:47:48
@misc{9101986,
  abstract     = {{Even though animal farming is one of the leading causes of climate change and more people in the west are raising concerns over animal welfare, meat consumption here is high and expected to rise. This thesis examines the reasoning and tensions that arise when omnivores’ dietary choices clash with their love for animals by studying how the concept of the meat paradox and cognitive dissonance theory can be explained among veterinary students in Sweden. Results show that Meat Related Cognitive Dissonance respondents unanimously argued that they only consume humanely produced meat, yet taste was voted as the primary justification for eating meat. Political beliefs were identified as the biggest MRCD predictor and the availability of plant-based products was found to be a key factor to enable decreased meat consumption. To counter the meat paradox and reduce meat
consumption government-initiated information campaigns, in addition to engagements between animal welfare activists and veterinary students could influence dietary choices.}},
  author       = {{Soilemezi, Lydia}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Protecting animals, until dinner? Investigating the existence of Meat-Related Cognitive Dissonance among veterinary students in Sweden}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}