scholarly journals Harnessing Moral Psychology to Reduce Meat Consumption

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua May ◽  
Victor C C Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Moral Psychology ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Motivated Reasoning ◽  
Meat Consumption ◽  
Weakness Of Will ◽  
Moral Progress ◽  
Psychological Mechanisms ◽  
Social Proof

How can we make moral progress on factory farming? Part of the answer lies in human moral psychology. Meat consumption remains high, despite increased awareness of its negative impact on animal welfare. Weakness of will is part of the explanation: acceptance of the ethical arguments doesn’t always motivate changes in dietary habits. However, we draw on scientific evidence to argue that many consumers aren’t fully convinced that they morally ought to reduce their meat consumption. We then identify two key psychological mechanisms—motivated reasoning and social proof—that lead people to resist the ethical reasons. Finally, we show how to harness these psychological mechanisms to encourage reductions in meat consumption. A central lesson for moral progress generally is that durable social change requires socially-embedded reasoning.

Le Bon’s crowd psychology and post-truth

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-160
Author(s):  
Dusko Prelevic
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Deliberative Democracy ◽  
Public Discourse ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Technological Innovations ◽  
Psychological Mechanisms ◽  
Public Debates ◽  
Crowd Psychology ◽  
Philosophical Community

The phenomenon of post-truth, in which truth (or facts or the best scientific evidence) is brushed aside in public debates, has recently caught the eye of many philosophers, who typically see it as a threat to deliberative democracy. In this paper, it is argued that Gustave Le Bon?s remarks on crowd psychology, which had been very popular in past (and brushed aside later on), might be relevant for a better understanding of psychological mechanisms that lead to post-truth. According to Le Bon, crowds are often irrational, whereas those who try to convince them to do something should use specific techniques of persuasion, such as affirmation, repetition, contagion and prestige, of which the last one can be undermined either by fiasco (the fastest way), or by critique (a bit slower, but nonetheless effective way). It is the age of posttruth that goes towards the neutralization of any critique (Le Bon himself considered such neutralization devastating for democratic societies), which has been, according to some authors, affected to a great extent by technological innovations in media, such as social media that some authors consider anti-social due to their negative impact on society. I argue that Le Bon?s insights might be useful to members of scientific and philosophical community in their attempts to eliminate the spreading of quasi-scientific views in public discourse.

scholarly journals Fish Consumption: A Review of Its Effects on Metabolic and Hormonal Health

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 117863882110223
Author(s):  
Carlos O Mendivil
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Fish Consumption ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Endocrine Disorders ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
The Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
The Impact

Dietary habits are a major determinant of the risk of chronic disease, particularly metabolic and endocrine disorders. Fish as a food group are a unique source of nutrients with metabolic and hormonal importance including omega-3 fatty acids, iodine, selenium, vitamin D, taurine and carnitine. Fish are also a source of high quality protein and have in general low caloric density. The impact of these nutrients on cardiovascular risk has been extensively reviewed, but the impact of fish on the broader field of endocrine and metabolic health is sometimes not sufficiently appreciated. This article aimed to summarize the impact the effect of regular fish consumption on conditions like the metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes, hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome and the menopausal transition, which are in and of themselves significant causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The review revealed that scientific evidence from food science, translational research, epidemiologic studies and interventional trials shows that regular fish consumption has a positive impact on thyroid homeostasis, facilitates maintenance of a healthy body weight, reduces the magnitude of age-associated increases in blood pressure, improves glucose homeostasis helping prevent diabetes and the metabolic syndrome, and has a positive impact on muscle mass preservation among the elderly. These effects are mediated by multiple mechanisms, only some of which have been identified. For most of these effects it holds true that the potential benefits are more substantial when baseline fish consumption is low.

scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 quarantine on dietary habits and physical activity in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manar Abduljalil Bakhsh ◽  
Jomana Khawandanah ◽  
Rouba Khalil Naaman ◽  
Shoug Alashmali
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has forced governments around the world to impose strict hygiene and national lockdown measures, which in turn has changed the dietary and lifestyle habits of the world’s population. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate whether dietary and physical activity behaviors of Saudi Arabia’s adult population changed during the COVID-19 quarantine. Methods An electronic questionnaire which assessed changes in body weight, dietary habits, and physical activity of Saudi Arabia’s adult population (n = 2255) during the COVID-19 quarantine was distributed on social media between June and July 2020. To test the differences between changes in dietary and physical activity behaviors in relation to changes in body weight a Chi-square test was used. Results Over 40 and 45% of participants reported eating and snacking more, respectively, which led to weight gain in around 28%. Most participants reported that they consumed home-cooked (73%) and healthy meals (47%), while only 7% reported that they consumed foods from restaurants. Feelings of boredom and emptiness (44%) and the availability of time for preparing meals (40%) were the main reasons for changing dietary habits. Honey (43%) and vitamin C (50%) were the most consumed immune-boosting food and dietary supplement, respectively. COVID-19 also had a negative impact on physical activity, lowering the practice in 52% subjects, which was associated with significant weight gain (p < 0.001). Conclusion Assessing the changes to the population’s dietary habits and physical activity during the lockdown will help predict the outcome of the population’s future health and wellbeing after the pandemic.

scholarly journals Changing the Irish dietary guidelines to incorporate the principles of the Mediterranean diet: proposing the MedÉire diet

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 375-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrey C Tierney ◽  
Ioannis Zabetakis
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Low Fat Diet ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
Food Pyramid ◽  
Health And Well Being

AbstractObjectiveIn Ireland, the major causes of death are CVD. The current Irish healthy eating guidelines and food pyramid primarily advocate a low-fat diet. However, there is overwhelming scientific evidence for the benefits of a Mediterranean diet (Med Diet) in the prevention and management of metabolic disease as well as improving overall health and well-being. In the current commentary, the rationale to incorporate the principles of the Med Diet into the Irish dietary guidelines is presented.DesignPerspectives of authors.SettingLocal and international.SubjectsPopulations in Europe, North America and Australia.ResultsAdopting components of the Med Diet presents a more evidence-based approach to updating the current Irish dietary guidelines. Experience and lessons from other non-Mediterranean countries show that it could be a feasible and effective solution to improving the dietary habits of the Irish population to prevent and mange chronic diseases.ConclusionsPolicies and programmes to address perceived barriers to the Med Diet’s implementation and uptake in non-Mediterranean countries should be promoted.

Normality, Naturalness, Necessity, and Nutritiousness of the New Meat Alternatives

2021 ◽  
pp. 1092-1109
Author(s):  
Diana Bogueva ◽  
Kurt Schmidinger
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Sustainable Consumption ◽  
Meat Consumption ◽  
World Population ◽  
The West ◽  
Gen Y ◽  
Sustainable Diet ◽  
The Social ◽  
The World ◽  
Negative Environmental Impact

In the West, meat is acceptable, tasty, delicious, palatable, and enjoyable. It has a well-established position in the consumers' food habits shaping the taste of the affluent eating culture and accepted as normal, natural, necessary, and nutritious. Although recent scientific evidence recognizes that meat has a high negative environmental impact, there is still lack of attention on the fact that we live on a planet with limited resources which need to be preserved. Part of this is a transition to more sustainable consumption habits and diets. This chapter examines the social readiness and acceptability of new meat alternatives as normal, natural, necessary, and nutritious amongst Gen Y and Gen Z consumers. It concludes that a reduction in meat consumption should be an essential part of creating a more sustainable diet in light of the projected increase of the world population, expected human health benefits, and improved environmental wellbeing of the planet.

Your Facts or Mine?

2019 ◽  
pp. 73-92
Author(s):  
Morgan Marietta ◽  
David C. Barker
Keyword(s):  
Social Psychology ◽  
Cognitive Psychology ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Motivated Reasoning ◽  
Core Values ◽  
Personal Knowledge ◽  
Detailed Review ◽  
Psychological Mechanisms

Chapter 5 commences Part II of the book, Causes. It reviews the well-demonstrated psychological mechanisms that lead citizens toward perceiving only a specific set of facts, all the while believing in their sophisticated and unbiased appraisal. A constellation of reinforcing mechanisms adds up to citizens projecting their priors onto their perceptions. The chapter provides a detailed review of the psychological foundations of fact perceptions. It begins by describing the power of personal knowledge (highlighting the notorious “dress controversy” of 2015) and continues to discuss the contributions of cognitive psychology, social psychology, the theory of motivated reasoning, and the perspective that “reasoning is for arguing.” It concludes that all of these literatures point to a powerful role for core values as shapers of reality perceptions, noting the lack of empirical studies that directly test that hypothesis.

scholarly journals Evidence of the Importance of Dietary Habits Regarding Depressive Symptoms and Depression

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 1616 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina Ljungberg ◽  
Emma Bondza ◽  
Connie Lethin
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
Prevention And Treatment ◽  
Healthy Eating Habits

Background: Mental illness is one of the fastest rising threats to public health, of which depression and anxiety disorders are increasing the most. Research shows that diet is associated with depressive symptoms or depression (depression). Aim: This study aimed to investigate the diets impact on depression, by reviewing the scientific evidence for prevention and treatment interventions. Method: A systematic review was conducted, and narrative synthesis analysis was performed. Result: Twenty scientific articles were included in this review. The result showed that high adherence to dietary recommendations; avoiding processed foods; intake of anti-inflammatory diet; magnesium and folic acid; various fatty acids; and fish consumption had a depression. Public health professionals that work to support and motivate healthy eating habits may help prevent and treat depression based on the evidence presented in the results of this study. Further research is needed to strengthen a causal relationship and define evidence-based strategies to implement in prevention and treatment by public healthcare.

Reply to Comments

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 287-300
Author(s):  
Allen Buchanan ◽  
Russell Powell
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Moral Psychology ◽  
Moral Theory ◽  
Moral Progress ◽  
Evolutionary Explanation ◽  
The Core ◽  
Use Of Data ◽  
The Social ◽  
Core Elements

Abstract Commentators on The Evolution of Moral Progress: A Biocultural Theory raise a number of metaethical and moral concerns with our analysis, as well as some complaints regarding how we have interpreted and made use of the contemporary evolutionary and social sciences of morality. Some commentators assert that one must already presuppose a moral theory before one can even begin to theorize moral progress; others query whether the shift toward greater inclusion is really a case of moral progress, or whether our theory can be properly characterized as ‘naturalistic’. Other commentators worry that we have uncritically accepted the prevailing evolutionary explanation of morality, even though it gives short shrift to the role of women or presupposes an oversimplified view of the environment in which the core elements of human moral psychology are thought to have congealed. Another commentator laments that we did not make more extensive use of data from the social sciences. In this reply, we engage with all of these constructive criticisms and show that although some of them are well taken, none undermine the core thesis of our book.

scholarly journals Improving Cardiovascular Health through Nudging Healthier Food Choices: A Systematic Review

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2520 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Tørris ◽  
Hilde Mobekk
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Food Choices ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Impact

Obesity and metabolic syndrome are considered major public health problems, and their negative impact on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) is profound. Targeting modifiable risk factors such as dietary habits is therefore of great importance. Many of today’s health challenges with overweight and obesity may have behavioral roots, and traditional methods such as regulations and campaigns are often insufficient to improve dietary choices. Nudging or choice architecture might be a viable tool to influence people’s everyday choices and behaviors to better outcomes. This paper reviews the current state of the rapidly expanding number of experimental field studies that investigate the effects/associations of nudging on healthy food choices. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, where 142 citations were identified. Based on selection criteria, six randomized controlled trials and 15 non-randomized controlled trials were ultimately included. The results of this systematic review show that many of the studies included traffic-light labeling, which may be a promising strategy. The reviewed findings, however, also highlight the challenges that confront experimental studies examining the impact of nudging on diet.

scholarly journals Finance and Management for the Anthropocene

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Shrivastava ◽  
Laszlo Zsolnai ◽  
David Wasieleski ◽  
Mark Stafford-Smith ◽  
Thomas Walker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Social Activities ◽  
Planetary Boundaries ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Leverage Points

The Anthropocene era is characterized by a pronounced negative impact of human and social activities on natural ecosystems. To the extent finance, economics and management underlie human social activities, we need to reassess these fields and their role in achieving global sustainability. This article briefly presents the scientific evidence on accelerating impacts of human activities on nature, which have resulted in breach of planetary boundaries and onset of global climate change. It offers some potential leverage points for change toward sustainability stewardship by highlighting the important role of finance and economics in addressing climate change. We examine the role of financial stakeholders in addressing planetary boundaries and offer a modified stakeholder theory, from which we propose future directions for finance in the Anthropocene.

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