Klink, Yannick (2024) Moral Disengagement in the Context of Dietary Preferences. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
In the wake of global environmental and health challenges, the role of decision-making processes and related mechanisms in ethical consumption have become of increasing interest. This study therefore examines the relationship between dietary preferences and the perceived persuasiveness of arguments against meat consumption, expanding on existing literature by exploring cognitive engagement and trait-mindfulness as potential moderators in the process. A sample of 73 participants, eventually making up groups of meat eaters, flexitarians, pescetarians, and those following vegetarian or vegan diets, was recruited for this study. The study revealed that vegetarians and vegans were more strongly persuaded by arguments highlighting the negative impacts of meat consumption on the environment, health, and animal welfare when compared to meat eaters and flexitarians, indicative of moral disengagement. Contrary to expectations, neither cognitive engagement nor trait-mindfulness moderated these relationships. These findings highlight the significant impact of confirmation bias and selective exposure in shaping ethical consumption behaviors, specifically in the context of the meat paradox. This study also introduces a theoretical implication by questioning the relationship between moral disengagement and other mechanisms related to confirmation bias, underscoring the need for further research into these cognitive and moral processes. Future studies should aim to replicate these findings with larger and more representative samples as well as to explore additional moderating variables such as cultural and social identity factors, thus deepening our understanding of the mechanisms driving dietary choices and moral disengagement. Keywords: meat consumption, moral disengagement, cognitive engagement, mindfulness, moderation model
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Gutzkow, B. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | None [Bachelor Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 17 Jul 2024 13:58 |
| Last Modified: | 17 Jul 2024 13:58 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3952 |
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