Are Meat-Eaters Selfish?
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Meat production takes a huge toll on natural resources, may aggravate world hunger, and has been linked to health problems such as heart disease and cancer--never mind the toll it takes on animals. So why do humans keep consuming other creatures? According to Dutch psychologists, it might not be just because of taste or even biology. The researchers, from The Netherland's Radboud University and University of Tilburg, used experiments to examine the psychological significance of meat-eating. In their findings, they ultimately compared meat to the "Hummer" of the food world because it helped individuals feel tough and dominant. In their first study, subjects were given the choice of three dishes: steak, fish, or omelet. Sixty percent of subjects made to feel insecure chose the steak dish compared to just 20 percent of the control group. In a second study, one group of subjects viewed a pictures of a steak, while other subjects saw a cow or a tree. In subsequent tests, researchers found that those who viewed the steak made more selfish choices. In fictitious situations, they were more likely to save themselves first in a fire and were less likely to help others. ABSTRACT: Vleeseters zijn egoïstischer en minder sociaal (Dutch)SHARE:
Posted In: Consumer Psychology | Violence | Tags: Eating | Food | Meat | Selfish | Vegetarian | Posted by FindCounseling.com Staff on August 27, 2011 at 06:48 AM | Permalink |
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