Environmental Values and Americans’ Beliefs about Farm Animal Well-Being

• In Event: 3140 - Innovations in Sociological Animal Studies

Abstract

This study draws from previous research and rigorous concepts in social psychology to examine the relationship between environmental values and Americans’ beliefs about farm animal well-being. Beliefs about farm animal well-being are measured by eight survey items. Principle factor analysis reveals the presence of four factors: beliefs about the well-being of farm animals on large industrial farms, well-being of farm animals on small industrial farms, institutional treatment of farm animals on large industrial farms, and institutional treatment of farm animals on small family farms. Descriptive results demonstrate that Americans’ believe the well-being of farm animals on large industrial farms is worse than on small family farms. Ordinary least squares regression results suggest the importance of environmental values, as well as various demographic factors, in understanding beliefs about farm animal well-being.

Author

• Mark Edward Suchyta, Michigan State University