scholarly journals Effectiveness of a Theory-Informed Documentary to Reduce Consumption of Meat and Animal Products: Three Randomized Controlled Experiments

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 4555
Author(s):  
Maya B. Mathur ◽  
Jacob R. Peacock ◽  
Thomas N. Robinson ◽  
Christopher D. Gardner
Keyword(s):  
Social Desirability ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Social Desirability Bias ◽  
Controlled Experiments ◽  
Animal Products ◽  
Societal Issues ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Intervention Content

Several societal issues could be mitigated by reducing global consumption of meat and animal products (MAP). In three randomized, controlled experiments (n=217 to 574), we evaluated the effects of a documentary that presents health, environmental, and animal welfare motivations for reducing MAP consumption. Study 1 assessed the documentary’s effectiveness at reducing reported MAP consumption after 12 days. This study used methodological innovations to minimize social desirability bias, a widespread limitation of past research. Study 2 investigated discrepancies between the results of Study 1 and those of previous studies by further examining the role of social desirability bias. Study 3 assessed the documentary’s effectiveness in a new population anticipated to be more responsive and upon enhancing the intervention content. We found that the documentary did not decrease reported MAP consumption when potential social desirability bias was minimized (Studies 1 and 3). The documentary also did not affect consumption among participants whose demographics suggested they might be more receptive (Study 3). However, the documentary did substantially increase intentions to reduce consumption, consistent with past studies (Studies 2 and 3). Overall, we conclude that some past studies of similar interventions may have overestimated effects due to methodological biases. Novel intervention strategies to reduce MAP consumption may be needed.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of a theory-informed documentary to reduce meat and animal-product consumption: Three randomized controlled experiments

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maya B Mathur ◽  
Jacob Peacock ◽  
Thomas Robinson ◽  
Christopher D Gardner
Keyword(s):  
Social Desirability ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Social Desirability Bias ◽  
Controlled Experiments ◽  
Animal Products ◽  
Societal Issues ◽  
Animal Product ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Product Consumption ◽  
Dietary Consumption

Background: Several exigent societal issues could be mitigated by shifting global consumption of meat and animal products toward predominantly plant-based diets. Methods: We conducted 3 randomized controlled experiments (n=217 to 574) to test the effects of a professionally produced and disseminated, theory-informed documentary that presents health, environmental, and animal welfare motivations for reducing consumption of meat and animal products. In Study 1, we primarily assessed participants' reported 1-week consumption of meats and animal products, as reported 12 days after random assignment to view the documentary or a control video. In Study 2, in a similar sample, we assessed effects on participants' immediate intentions to change their consumption of these foods, comparable to most past studies. In Study 3, we used the design from Study 1 but in a new sample anticipated to be more responsive to the messages; we also enhanced the intervention with activities designed to increase engagement with the documentary and to prompt concrete goal setting. In Studies 1 and 3, we introduced methodological innovations to minimize social desirability bias, a widespread limitation of past research. Results: The documentary did not decrease meat and animal product compared to the control video when potential social desirability bias was minimized (Study 1: -0.33 oz/week; 95% CI: [-6.12, 5.46]; p=0.91; Study 3: -2.46 oz/week; 95% CI: [-8.78, 3.85]; p=0.43). The documentary also did not affect reported meat and animal-product consumption among participants whose demographics suggested they might be more receptive to the intervention (Study 3). However, the documentary did substantially increase the percentage of participants who immediately intended to reduce consumption, consistent with past studies (Study 2) and prompted a majority of viewers to pledge to reduce or eliminate their consumption of at least one meat or animal product (Study 3).Conclusions: These findings suggest that past studies of similar interventions may have overestimated effects due to methodological biases. Novel intervention strategies may be needed to meaningfully shift dietary consumption away from meat and animal products.Trial registration: Study 1: https://osf.io/m3d2y/; Study 2: https://osf.io/etpvf/; Study 3: https://osf.io/n52yd/.

scholarly journals The Role of A/B Tests in the Study of Large-Scale Online Learning

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Olof Savi ◽  
Joseph Jay Williams ◽  
Gunter Maris ◽  
Han van der Maas
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Controlled Experiments ◽  
Web Page ◽  
Online Learning Community ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Improved Learning ◽  
Use Of Knowledge

Although large-scale online learning increasingly succeeds in attracting learners worldwide, to date it fails to deliver on its promise. We first show the immense popularity of online learning and discuss its (unsatisfactory) effectiveness. We then discuss large-scale online randomized controlled experiments (A/B tests) as a powerful complimentary means to enable the desired leap forward. Although these experiments are widely and intensively used for web page optimization, and are slowly being adopted by the online learning community, their use, benefits, and challenges have only limitedly seeped through to the larger learning community. We summarize existing efforts in employing A/B tests in online learning, argue that such tests should take into account the typical nature of (online) learning, and encourage the use of knowledge from the various learning sciences to identify interventions that promise improved learning. We finally discuss both the limitations and promises of A/B tests, and show how such tests can ultimately contribute to learning that is tailored to each individual learner. The insights and priorities that arise from this overview and synthesis of A/B tests in online learning may help advance and direct the field.

Social Desirability Bias in Pornography-Related Self-Reports: The Role of Religion

2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyler R. Rasmussen ◽  
Joshua B. Grubbs ◽  
Kenneth I. Pargament ◽  
Julie J. Exline
Keyword(s):  
Social Desirability ◽  
Social Desirability Bias ◽  
Self Reports ◽  
Role Of Religion

Social Desirability Bias: A Demonstration and Technique for Its Reduction

1987 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randall A. Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Social Desirability ◽  
Dental Hygiene ◽  
Classroom Discussion ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Social Desirability Bias ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Hygiene Behavior ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Instruction Format

A demonstration of social desirability bias in survey research suitable for moderate to large class sizes is described. The method used to reduce subjects' response bias involved a manipulation of instructions on a questionnaire. The standard instruction format requested subjects to respond to three questions on dental hygiene behavior and not to sign their names on the questionnaires. The modified instructions included additional information regarding the anonymity of the subjects' responses, the need for accurate information, and the role of the subject as a contributor of valuable information. The results from the demonstration are reported and topics for classroom discussion are suggested.

Style and substance in social desirability scales

1989 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Menucha Birenbaum ◽  
Itzhak Montag
Keyword(s):  
Social Desirability ◽  
Personality Factors ◽  
Personality Factor ◽  
Eysenck Personality Questionnaire ◽  
Social Desirability Bias ◽  
Personality Questionnaire ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Personality Questionnaires ◽  
Occupational Selection

The purpose of the present study was to examine the nature of a social desirability measure under two different types of instructions for filling out personality questionnaires in an occupational selection setting. 1230 male applicants for public vehicle driving licences were administered Cattett's 16PF and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ). The subjects were randomly assigned to two groups. One was given standard instructions for filling out these questionnaires; the second was given special instructions designed to reduce social desirability response bias. Social desirability was indexed by the Lie scale of the EPQ. Based on Eysenck's theorizing concerning the meaning of the Lie scale, the following hypothesis was tested: the factorial location of the Lie scale in the personality domain will differ under the two forms of instructions. It should appear separately from other personality factors under the standard instructions, whereas under the special instructions it should be subsumed under the personality factor which measures conformity. The results supported this hypothesis. The discussion focuses on the meaning of the Lie scale under conditions that elicit social desirability bias and on the role of special instructions in reducing this bias.

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