PREPRINT Addressing Misattributions of Animal Minds: A Pathway Towards Sustainable Food Consumption

Most people condemn animal suffering, but at the same time harm animals by consuming them. The cognitive dissonance experienced as a result of this inconsistency can be alleviated by common misconceptions that animals have limited cognitive abilities and are less capable of experiencing emotions and pain. Addressing these misconceptions may be crucial in reducing the unsustainable consumption of animal products. In two studies (Nstudy1 = 266; NStudy2 = 625), we investigated whether a mini documentary educating viewers about animal minds would influence speciesist behaviours. Participants either received this educational intervention or did not. The results revealed that participants who received the education expressed a stronger intention to reduce harmful behaviours towards animals compared with participants in the control condition (Studies 1 & 2). Participants’ beliefs about animal minds played a mediating role in this effect (Study 1). Moreover, the education led to a greater reduction in participants’ actual animal product consumption (Study 2). As the problems of climate change, emerging pandemics, lifestyle-related diseases, and the pervasive mistreatment of non-human animals are linked to current practices of producing and consuming animals and their products (e.g., Kwasny et al., 2022), our findings provide valuable insights into how educating people about animal minds can contribute to a more sustainable and compassionate future.