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Examining the “Veggie” personality: Results from a representative German sample
Since there is limited information on how individual differences in personality relate to following a vegetarian diet, this 2018 study planned to estimate the prevalence of vegetarians in 2 groups of German representatives. In addition, Pfeiler & Egloff set out to evaluate how socio-demographic variables affect dietary behavior, and to compare the personality traits, political attitudes, and health-related variables of vegetarians with meat eaters. The difference between the first and second studies was that study 1 had a strict definition of a vegetarian, while study 2 also included individuals who predominantly followed a vegetarian diet. The proportion of self-defined vegetarians in study 2 (5.97%) was higher than in study 1 (2.74%). The researchers found that subjects who were female, younger, and more educated were more likely to follow a vegetarian diet in both studies. Specifically in study 2, vegetarians reported higher income than the meat eaters. Furthermore, the vegetarians and meateaters differed in terms of personality traits, political attitudes, and health-related variables. Analysis models revealed that people with higher scores in openness and political interest had a higher probability of being vegetarian, whereas those who scored higher in conscientiousness and conservatism were less likely to be vegetarian. This study highlights the individual differences in socio-demographics, personality traits, and political attitudes between vegetarians and meat eaters. [NPID: meat eaters, personality, vegetarian, traits]
Year: 2018
