The effect of species on perceptions of animals (speciesism): Predictors and causes

Many people wish to avoid harming animals, yet most people also consume  meat. This theoretical ‘meat paradox’ is a form of cognitive dissonance  and has grave negative consequences for animal welfare and the  environment. Yet, despite these consequences, the meat paradox  literature is sparse. The current structured literature review (SLR)  explores primary literature up to May 2020, supporting the paradox and  uniquely reviewing all known triggers of the paradox (e.g., exposure to  meat’s animal origins), all known strategies to overcome the paradox  (e.g., avoiding thinking about consumed animals) and how different  people (e.g., those of different genders, occupations, ages, dietary  preferences, cultures or religions) utilise varying strategies to  overcome the paradox. For instance, the review uniquely demonstrates how  dietary identity, dietary adherence and meat consumption frequency,  among other demographic and psychographic factors, all affect moral  (dis)engagement from animals. Overall, this paper has wide-ranging  theoretical implications for the meat paradox and social psychological  literature, and practical implications for meat reduction policies.