Underlying Differences Between Chinese Omnivores and Vegetarians in the Evaluations of Different Dietary Groups

Abstract

Drawing upon self-categorization theory, the present research investigated the attitudes of omnivores and vegetarians toward five dietary groups, including omnivores, conscientious omnivores, semi-vegetarians, vegetarians, and vegans. When they had high (vs. low) meat rationalization, omnivore participants had fewer negative attitudes toward and more positive evaluations of the omnivore groups but more negative attitudes toward and fewer positive evaluations of the vegetarian groups. Vegetarian participants had the most negative attitudes toward the omnivore group, followed by the conscientious omnivore group, the semi-vegetarian group, the vegetarian group, and the vegan group; the vegetarian participants with high meat rationalization (vs. those with low meat rationalization) had more positive evaluations of the omnivore groups. Such findings suggested that high levels of meat-eating rationalization predicted more favorable attitudes toward omnivores among both omnivore and vegetarian participants.

Association of plant-based dietary patterns with the risk of colorectal cancer: a large-scale case–control study

“…10,11 In addition, it might be difficult for many individuals to give up all kinds of animal-based foods and become vegan. 12 Furthermore, the strict restriction of animal products in the vegan diet is not in line with "a healthy diet". 13 A plant-based dietary pattern emphasizes higher consumption of plantbased foods and lower consumption of animal-based foods, rather than excluding animal-based foods thoroughly.…”

Veg*ns’ and omnivores’ reciprocal attitudes and dehumanization: The role of social dominance orientation, ingroup identification, and anticipated reproach

“…While veg*ns’ attitudes toward omnivores have been examined only recently (Bagci et al., 2021; Tian et al., 2019), several studies have tested the hypotheses that veg*ns, as a social minority, are the targets of negative evaluations from members of the social majority (i.e., omnivores). MacInnis and Hodson (2017) examined omnivores’ attitudes toward veg*ns and showed that they were equivalent to or more negative than their attitudes toward other groups that are common targets of prejudice (e.g., Blacks and homosexuals) and minorities who challenge social norms (i.e., environmentalists and feminists), and more negative than their attitudes toward other groups characterized by food selectivity (i.e., coeliac eaters, lactose intolerants, and religious dieters).…”

“…From a different perspective, Tian et al. (2019) found that omnivores scoring high on meat rationalization (that is the belief that eating meat is natural, normal, necessary, and nice) expressed more negative attitudes toward and fewer positive evaluations of veg*ns.…”

“…Tian et al. (2019, Study 2) asked both omnivores and veg*ns to evaluate different dietary groups (omnivores, conscientious omnivores, flexitarians, vegetarians and vegans) and found that veg*ns expressed the most negative attitudes toward the omnivore group. Bagci et al.…”

“…Therefore, both groups have good reasons to derogate the respective outgroup and comparing their specific and common motivations seems particularly relevant. In addition, prior investigations only concerned explicit attitudes and were carried out in China (Tian et al., 2019) and in Turkey (Bagci et al., 2021): To the best of our knowledge, this topic has not yet been analysed in Western cultures and with reference to more subtle dehumanization tendencies and implicit attitudes.…”