Psychology, Social Development, Social Motivations
The Environment... Are We Doing All We Can?
Submitted on Jul 28, 2008 Diet and Nutrition | General Animal Protection
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A nationwide poll regarding the environment shows that the majority of U.S. adults believe their personal actions are significant for protecting the environment, but slightly more than half have not heard of "environmental sustainability." Other behaviors related to the environment were also covered in this study.
Is the Animal Protection Movement at a Crossroads?
Submitted by Che on Jul 28, 2008 Advocacy Strategies | General Animal ProtectionA recent publication from the World Wildlife Fund asks important questions about encouraging environmentally-friendly behavior among consumers. The report addresses the long-term efficacy of marketing-based, incremental advocacy approaches and argues in favor of more values-based messaging. The discussion is relevant to discussions among animal advocates regarding whether or not to use tangential motivators to encourage animal-friendly behavior.
The Interactive Effect of Cultural Symbols and Human Values on Taste Evaluation
Submitted on Jul 24, 2008 Diet and Nutrition | Vegetarianism and Veganism
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A research study examining the symbolic meaning of foods and beverages found that when participants tasted meat, they were more what influenced by what they thought they had eaten than what they had actually eaten. The study's authors conclude that "Participants who ate the vegetarian alternative did not rate the taste and aroma less favorably than those who ate the beef product. Instead, what influenced taste evaluation was what they thought they had eaten and whether that food symbolized values that they personally supported."
The Environment Movement at a Crossroads
Submitted on Jul 15, 2008 Advocacy Strategies | General Animal Protection
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"Weathercocks and Signposts" critically reassesses current approaches to motivating environmentally-friendly behaviour change. Current behaviour-change strategies are increasingly
built upon analogy with product marketing campaigns. They often take as given the "sovereignty" of consumer choice, and the perceived need to preserve current lifestyles intact. This report constructs a case for a radically different approach. It presents evidence that any adequate strategy for tackling environmental challenges will demand engagement with the values that underlie the decisions we make – and, indeed, with our sense of who we are. [Excerpted from report]
The Road to Helping Animals is Paved with Good Intentions (AV Magazine Article)
Submitted by Che on Jun 07, 2008 Advocacy Strategies | Animal Experimentation | Companion Animals | Farmed Animals | General Animal Protection | Wildlife and Exotics[This article will appear in the summer 2008 edition of AV Magazine] People love animals. And while people mostly love their companion animals and fellow primates, they also indicate strong support for the welfare of farmed animals, wildlife, and research animals. Most also think we should have strict laws enforcing protection for all types of animals. In an abstract sense, a strong majority of people support not just reducing animal suffering, but even eliminating it entirely. This is the good news about the public's attitude toward animals... [Continued]
The Persuasion Problem
Submitted by Che on May 07, 2008 Advocacy Strategies | General Animal Protection | Vegetarianism and VeganismIn part 2 of our four-part series discussing Martin Balluch’s essay, "Abolitionism vs. Reformism," we address why public education is not enough to create real change for animals. Persuasion is inherently limited by human nature and the mechanics of population growth. While animal advocates should continue to work on persuasion to achieve public support, it should be used more strategically and in support of more pervasive, system-wide changes.
Societal Change and the Welfare-Rights Continuum
Submitted by Che on Apr 29, 2008 Advocacy Strategies | General Animal Protection | Vegetarianism and VeganismA recent essay by an Austrian activist with the organization Association Against Animal Factories provides an insightful analysis of vegan advocacy and the overall “welfare-rights” continuum relating to animal advocacy. This is part 1 in a 4-part Humane Thinking series that will discuss and excerpt highlights from the essay.
Abolitionism versus Reformism
Submitted on Apr 29, 2008 Advocacy Strategies | General Animal Protection | Vegetarianism and Veganism
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In this essay, Austrian animal advocate Martin Balluch argues that reform-based and abolition-based animal advocacy are inextricably linked in a "welfare-rights continuum" that makes it very difficult to achieve meaningful change through public education and persuasion. Instead, Balluch argues, widespread change for animals will only come through altering the system itself, by changing the balance of power and codifying animal-friendly laws and policies. [Note: Balluch welcomes comments and feedback on his essay at vgt@vgt.at]
The Consumer Side of Sustainability
Submitted on Apr 27, 2008 Diet and Nutrition | General Animal Protection
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Hartman's report, Sustainability: Understanding the Consumer Perspective, identifies the attitude shift that drives consumer interest in sustainability. The study found that 93% of consumers say or do something to consciously incorporate sustainability into their daily lives, including specific practices identified in the report
The Power of Words in Action: An Interview with "Hugs for Puppies"
Submitted by Che on Mar 11, 2008 Advocacy Strategies | General Animal ProtectionCoordinator for the Philadelphia-based animal rights group Hugs for Puppies, Nick Cooney, offers his thoughts on why they chose the name and what kind of reaction it gets. Nick also provides some great suggestions for advocates wanting to increase their impact for animals.