Short Paper
Longitudinal effects of human supremacy beliefs and vegetarianism threat on moral exclusion (vs. inclusion) of animals
Ana C. Leite,
Kristof Dhont,
Gordon Hodson,
Corresponding Author
Ana C. Leite
Centre for the Study of Group Processes, School of Psychology, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
Correspondence
Ana C. Leite, Centre for the Study of Group Processes, School of Psychology, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NP, UK.
E-mail: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorKristof Dhont
Centre for the Study of Group Processes, School of Psychology, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
Search for more papers by this authorGordon Hodson
Department of Psychology, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Search for more papers by this authorAna C. Leite,
Kristof Dhont,
Gordon Hodson,
Corresponding Author
Ana C. Leite
Centre for the Study of Group Processes, School of Psychology, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
Correspondence
Ana C. Leite, Centre for the Study of Group Processes, School of Psychology, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NP, UK.
E-mail: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorKristof Dhont
Centre for the Study of Group Processes, School of Psychology, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
Search for more papers by this authorGordon Hodson
Department of Psychology, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Stronger beliefs in human supremacy over animals, and stronger perceived threat posed by vegetarianism to traditional practices, are associated with stronger speciesism and more meat consumption. Both variables might also be implicated in the moral exclusion of animals. We tested this potential in a 16-month longitudinal study in the USA (N = 219). Human supremacy showed longitudinal effects on the moral exclusion of all animals. Vegetarianism threat only predicted moral exclusion of food animals (e.g., cows and pigs), and, unexpectedly, appealing wild animals (e.g., chimps and dolphins). These findings demonstrate the importance of both human supremacy and perceived threat in explaining moral exclusion of animals and highlight potential paradoxical negative consequences of the rise of vegetarianism.
Conflict of Interest
The authors confirm they have no conflict of interest to declare. Authors also confirm that this article adheres to ethical guidelines specified in the APA Code of Conduct as well as the authors’ national ethics guidelines.
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