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The Relationship between Empathy and Personality in Undergraduate Students’ Attitudes toward Nonhuman Animals

The Relationship between Empathy and Personality in Undergraduate Students’ Attitudes toward... Abstract The majority of research investigating beliefs toward nonhuman animals has focused on vivisection or utilized populations with clear views on animal issues (e.g., animal rights activists). Minimal research has been conducted on what personality factors influence a nonclinical or nonadjudicated population’s beliefs about the treatment of animals. The purpose of the present study was to examine the role of empathy and personality traits in attitudes about the treatment of animals in 241 undergraduate students. Results indicated that those with high levels of empathy held more positive attitudes toward animals and more negative beliefs about animal cruelty than those with low levels of empathy. Some differences in participants’ specific attitudes toward animals were found. Limitations and implications for future research are reviewed. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Society & Animals Brill

The Relationship between Empathy and Personality in Undergraduate Students’ Attitudes toward Nonhuman Animals

Society & Animals , Volume 20 (1): 21 – Jan 1, 2012

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References (42)

Publisher
Brill
Copyright
© Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands
ISSN
1063-1119
eISSN
1568-5306
DOI
10.1163/156853012X614341
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Abstract The majority of research investigating beliefs toward nonhuman animals has focused on vivisection or utilized populations with clear views on animal issues (e.g., animal rights activists). Minimal research has been conducted on what personality factors influence a nonclinical or nonadjudicated population’s beliefs about the treatment of animals. The purpose of the present study was to examine the role of empathy and personality traits in attitudes about the treatment of animals in 241 undergraduate students. Results indicated that those with high levels of empathy held more positive attitudes toward animals and more negative beliefs about animal cruelty than those with low levels of empathy. Some differences in participants’ specific attitudes toward animals were found. Limitations and implications for future research are reviewed.

Journal

Society & AnimalsBrill

Published: Jan 1, 2012

Keywords: ATTAS; attitudes toward animals; empathy; IPIP

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