Can guided introspection help avoid rationalization of meat consumption? Mixed-methods results of a pilot experimental study

Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

Authors

The need for reducing meat consumption in affluent countries is increasingly recognized as crucial to minimizing carbon footprint. However, confronting individuals with rational arguments can prompt emotional discomfort, which is often relieved by engaging in rationalization processes stabilizing current consumption patterns. Mindfulness research suggests that making people aware of their emotional reactions through introspection can reduce these rationalization processes. In this mixed-method pilot experimental study, we inquired whether a single guided introspection, inspired by the micro-phenomenological interview technique, can alter individuals' experience of and abilities to deal with cognitive dissonance. Furthermore, we asked if such an intervention can stimulate attitude or intention changes concerning meat consumption. After inducing cognitive dissonance by exposing participants to pictures of the slaughter of a cow, the intervention group (n = 36) participated in the guided introspection, while the control group (n = 39) played solitaire. Self-report questionnaire measures of emotional discomfort, rationalization strategies, and attitudes towards meat consumption were administered before and after the intervention. Also, open-ended responses to participants’ experience of the study were analyzed. Quantitative results show significantly lower negative attitudes toward reducing meat consumption in the intervention group compared to the control group (partial η2 = 0.107). Qualitative results indicate that these participants are more aware of negative emotions while engaging less in rationalization strategies. We conclude that our study indicates some potential for guided introspection to affect dissonance resolution and provide suggestions for future research.

Original languageEnglish
Article number100070
JournalCleaner and Responsible Consumption
Volume6
Number of pages10
ISSN2666-7843
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01.09.2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Authors

Documents

DOI

Recently viewed

Publications

  1. Comparing Empirical Methodologies in Pragmatics
  2. Decisions And Characteristics During The Development Process Of A Software Demonstrator For Data Analysis In Production Logistics
  3. Variational Pragmatics
  4. Introduction
  5. Global finite-time stabilization of a class of perturbed planar systems with actuator saturation and disturbances
  6. Function, flexibility, and responsibility
  7. One tool to rule? – A field experimental longitudinal study on the costs and benefits of mobile device usage in public agencies
  8. Atomare Hinterlassenschaften
  9. The Inada conditions for material resource inputs reconsidered
  10. Transdisciplinary co-creation increases the utilization of knowledge from sustainable development research
  11. A Sensitive Microsystem as Biosensor for Cell Growth Monitoring and Antibiotic Testing
  12. Enterprise Architecture Management Support for Digital Transformation Projects in Very Large Enterprises
  13. Ideas, Complexity, and Innovation
  14. Employing A-B tests for optimizing prices levels in e-commerce applications
  15. Influence of measurement errors on networks
  16. Hermann Stutte
  17. Discrete Lyapunov Controllers for an Actuator in Camless Engines
  18. Developing a model of financing for brownfield redevelopment
  19. Determinants in the online distribution of digital content
  20. Repeat Receipts: A device for generating visible data in market research focus groups
  21. Nonautonomous control of stable and unstable manifolds in two-dimensional flows
  22. How to assess transformative performance towards sustainable development in higher education institutions
  23. How and Why Different Forms of Expertise Moderate Anchor Precision in Price Decisions
  24. Deconstructing the Theoretical Language of Process Research
  25. Integrating teacher and student workspaces in a technology-enhanced mathematics lecture
  26. Does online-delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia improve insomnia severity in nurses working shifts? Protocol for a randomised-controlled trial
  27. Consensus statement on defining and measuring negative effects of Internet interventions
  28. A generalized α-level decomposition concept for numerical fuzzy calculus
  29. A geometric approach for the model parameter estimation in a permanent magnet synchronous motor