Pfaff, Luise (2024) Gender Role Identity and Meat-Eating Justifications: The Role of Cognitive Dissonance and Identity Threats. Master thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
large-scale shift away from modern animal agriculture is crucial in the mitigation of climate change, as well as beneficial for animal welfare and human health. Nonetheless, most individuals continue to consume meat. Making this discrepancy salient may trigger feelings of cognitive dissonance, which can be reduced through meat-eating justification strategies. As the consumption of meat is highly gendered, differences between men and women in the type of justification strategy were frequently established. Less research has focused on the role that an individual’s gender role identity plays. When a person feels threatened in their masculinity or femininity, they may compensate for this threat by justifying their meat consumption more extremely. The present study examines the relationship between gender, gender role identity, compensatory behaviors, cognitive dissonance, and meat-eating justifications. A 2 (affirming versus threatening feedback) x 2 (control versus cognitive dissonance triggering information) experimental design is employed, with random assignment to conditions. The sample consisted of 332 participants (68.7% female). Gender was the most robust predictor of justification strategies, with men using more direct and women more indirect justification strategies. While women used more indirect over direct strategies, there were no differences for men. The relationship between an individual’s gender role identity and their use of justification strategies was not affected by the experimental conditions. Results of the present study highlight the importance of individual differences in meat-related behaviors, suggesting that gender-specific approaches should be taken when promoting sustainable behavior.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
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| Supervisor name: | Muinos Trujillo, G. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Environmental Psychology (EP) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 18 Sep 2024 14:39 |
| Last Modified: | 18 Sep 2024 14:39 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4386 |
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