Naming the one to save the many: The effect of animal identifiability on children's reduced meat preference
Naming the one to save the many: The effect of animal identifiability on children's reduced meat preference
StatusPost-Print
Alternative title
Authors
Rabinovitch, Aleksandra
Cantarero, Katarzyna
Byrka, Katarzyna
Monograph
Monograph (alternative title)
Date
2026-08-08
Publisher
Journal title
Appetite
Issue
Volume
228
Pages
Pages
1-14
ISSN
0195-6663
ISSN of series
Access date
2028-08-08
Abstract PL
Abstract EN
This research examines how identifying an animal as an individual influences children's willingness to consume that animal, as well as meat derived from conspecifics and different species. Across two studies involving Polish preschoolers aged 5-6 (Study 1: N = 94; Study 2: N = 105), we examined whether presenting a chicken with a name and distinct preferences would reduce children's willingness to consume that specific animal, as well as their preference for chicken meat (poultry) and meat from a different species (pork) during a toy sandwich-building task. Study 2 further compared two forms of identification: unique exemplar identification versus similar exemplar identification (highlighting traits shared with the species). Results consistently revealed that identifying a unique exemplar had a conditional effect on willingness to consume the identified animal and its conspecifics, but did not extend to meat from other species. Animal's identifiability reduced both children's intentions to consume the identified animal (Study 1) and their actual preference for chicken slices in the sandwich-building task (Studies 1 and 2). However, these effects emerged among children who did not report a strong liking for meat. Overall, the findings suggest that although animal identifiability can reduce children's intentions to consume meat, its impact is moderated by preexisting food preferences and shows limited generalization across species.
Abstract other
Keywords PL
Keywords EN
Animal identifiability
The identified victim effect
Meat consumption
Meat liking
Meat reduction intervention
The identified victim effect
Meat consumption
Meat liking
Meat reduction intervention
Keywords other
Sustainable Development Goals
Exhibition title
Place of exhibition (institution)
Exhibition curator
Type
License type
Funder
Time range from
Time range to
Contact person name
Related publication
Related publication
Grant/project name
Narodowe Centrum Nauki
Grant number
2019/33/B/HS6/02830
Collections
Views
0Acquisition Date20.10.2022
Downloads
0Acquisition Date20.10.2022
Altmetrics©
Dimensions
Google Scholar
