A vegan in the room
Dynamic communication is key
This pilot study among students examined the ‘moral threat’ to meat-eaters induced by vegans, the subsequent defensive derogation and how these effects can be diminished. In other words, vegans are sometimes belittled or ridiculed by meat-eaters because they threaten meat-eaters’ moral self-image.
The authors of this sudy suggest talking about veganism as a ‘work in progress’ avoiding it being seen as ‘right or wrong’ or ‘black and white.’ It’s a continuum and we can all work together on our journey along it.
This flexible style of dynamic communication, they say, can encourage open-mindedness and make vegans more likeable – an essential step in persuading people to change their behaviour!
Weiper MLV and Vonk R. 2021. A communicational approach to enhance open-mindedness towards meat-refusers. Appetite. 1, 167, 105602.
About the author
Dr. Justine Butler
Justine joined Viva! in 2005 after graduating from Bristol University with a PhD in molecular biology. After working as a campaigner, then researcher and writer, she is now Viva!’s head of research and her work focuses on animals, the environment and health. Justine’s scientific training helps her research and write both in-depth scientific reports, such as White Lies and the Meat Report, as well as easy-to-read factsheets and myth-busting articles for consumer magazines and updates on the latest research. Justine also recently wrote the Vegan for the Planet guide for Viva!’s Vegan Now campaign.
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