Polarising plates: both omnivores and vegans represent in-group foods with eating simulations

Davis, T., Harkins, L. and Papies, E. K. (2023) Polarising plates: both omnivores and vegans represent in-group foods with eating simulations. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, (doi: 10.1177/01461672231202276) (PMID:37823529) (Early Online Publication)

Abstract

In two pre-registered experiments, we assessed how people cognitively represent meat and plant-based foods, to examine processes underlying dietary polarization in society. Food descriptions from U.K.-based omnivores (Nₑₓₚ. ₁ = 109; Nₑₓₚ. ₂ = 436) and vegans (Nₑₓₚ. ₁ = 111; Nₑₓₚ. ₂ = 407) were coded for features about consumption and reward (e.g., “rich,” “indulgent,” and “treat”) or features independent of the consumption situation (e.g., “healthy,” “protein,” and “eco-friendly”). Participants used more consumption and reward features for diet-congruent dishes (meat dishes for omnivores and plant-based dishes for vegans) than for diet-incongruent dishes (vice versa). Omnivores focused on abstract, long-term consequences of plant-based foods, whereas vegans focused on the socio-political associations with meat foods. Consumption and reward features also positively predicted attractiveness ratings, the likelihood of ordering a dish, and eating intentions. These findings indicate the cognitive processes of polarized dietary groups that may hinder the mainstream transition to more sustainable food choices.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was funded by ESRC Research Grant ES/P000681/1.
• Keywords: Language, food, diet, grounded cognition, sustainability.
• Status: Early Online Publication
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Davis, Ms Tess and Papies, Dr Esther
• Authors: Davis, T., Harkins, L., and Papies, E. K.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
• Journal Name: Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• ISSN: 0146-1672
• ISSN (Online): 1552-7433
• Published Online: 12 October 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Inc.
• First Published: First published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 2023
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
303166		Scottish Graduate School Science Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP)	Mary Beth Kneafsey	Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)	ES/P000681/1	SS - Academic & Student Administration