This research compared the values and beliefs of meat eaters and abstainers in New Zealand relative to “Right-Wing Authoritarianism,” “Social Dominance Orientation,” and consumption values. The study concludes that omnivores were more likely to endorse hierarchical dominance and place less importance on emotional states. Authoritarianism was positively associated with omnivorism and negatively associated with veganism and vegetarianism. These findings suggest that vegetarians have a greater desire to “reconnect” meat to living animals, and have the cognitive abilities to make such a connection. Omnivores are more likely to objectify animals and increase the emotional distance from animals.

[Abstract excerpted from original source.]

“Following the claim by some anthropologists and sociologists that 1 symbolic meaning of meat is a preference for hierarchical domination (C. J. Adams, 1990; N. Fiddes, 1989; D. D. Heisley, 1990; J. Twigg, 1983), the authors compared the values and beliefs of vegetarians and omnivores in 2 studies conducted in New Zealand. They compared the full range of vegetarians and omnivores on right-wing authoritarianism, social dominance orientation, human values, and consumption values. The participants tending toward omnivorism differed from those leaning toward veganism and vegetarianism in 2 principal ways: The omnivores (a) were more likely to endorse hierarchical domination and (b) placed less importance on emotional states. Accordingly, the acceptance or rejection of meat co-varied with the acceptance or rejection of the values associated with meat; that finding suggests that individuals consume meat and embrace its symbolism in ways consistent with their self-definitions.”

The study concludes that omnivores were more likely to endorse hierarchical dominance and place less importance on emotional states.

Authoritarianism was positively associated with omnivorism and negatively associated with veganism and vegetarianism.

These findings suggest that vegetarians have a greater desire to “reconnect” meat to living animals, and have the cognitive abilities to make such a connection.

Omnivores are more likely to objectify animals and increase the emotional distance from animals.