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Kamryn Clark

Professor Leonard

English Composition 2

30 April 2021

Individual Motives for Becoming Vegetarian

Thousands of chickens confined in a small room. Hogs crowded together. Dairy cows

trapped in indoor pens. This is the reality at confined animal-feeding operations, or factory

farms. This industrialization of agriculture allows animals to be produced more efficiently, with

companies obtaining greater amounts of meat at quicker rates than traditional pastures. While

beneficial for meat companies, there are a plethora of negatives associated with factory farming.

This industrialized farming leads to animal welfare issues, as these organisms are confined to

crowded pens where diseases easily proliferate (Rollin). Not only are these farms cruel to

animals, but they also harm the environment. In order to support the thousands of animals

present, factory farming “requires major inputs of energy, fossil fuel, and water” (Rollin). Also,

nitrogen leaches into nearby waterways because of waste disposal issues, and air quality issues

arise because of the large number of organisms confined into a small area (Figure 1) (Rollin).

Even the grains produced to feed these organisms affect the environment, causing the

“ecosystemic problems of erosion, aquifer contamination, and degradation of soil quality”

(Rollin). While classic pasture farming works with the environment, factory farms work against

it, making small areas expend energy to exceed their carrying capacities (Rollin). Consuming the

meat produced at factory farms can even be harmful to human health; antibiotics and vaccines

are used to control the spread of disease in factory farms, but “such use of antibiotics . . .

select[s] for antibiotic-resistant pathogens,” putting human health at risk (Rollin). Through the
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example of a confined animal-feeding operation, it is plain to see the negative effects of a

carnivorous or omnivorous diet when compared to a herbivorous one. These factory farms

highlight the major reasons people choose to become vegetarian: animal rights, the environment,

and human health.

Figure 1. Hogs crowded in an indoor pen at a factory farm (Rollin).

The personal choice to become vegetarian is ultimately determined by the individual’s willpower

to make this lifestyle change and the strength of their opinions surrounding these factors, with

human health influencing people’s decision to the least extent.

Characterized by strong morals, many individuals adopt a vegetarian diet with animal

rights as their main motive. In order to determine behavioral and personality traits that correlate
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to each motive for considering a vegetarian diet, Hopwood et al. designed the Vegetarian Eating

Motives Inventory (VEMI), a questionnaire distinguishing individuals’ motives for becoming

vegetarian (animal rights, the environment, or human health). Hopwood et al. also assessed 260

personal characteristics, such as volunteer activities, hobbies, and social behavior, in order to

find correlations between such characteristics and the different motives for becoming vegetarian.

They found that “being involved in a religious organization and doing crafts were uniquely

related to the animal rights motive,” with being involved in humanitarian organizations and

having strong morals overlapping between the animal rights motive and other motives (Hopwood

et al.). It is no surprise that individuals motivated by animal rights have a strong moral character;

as seen in the example of a factory farm, the meat industry is a major source of animal

mistreatment. By becoming vegetarian, these individuals are not contributing to the animal

cruelty that occurs through the meat industry, thus upholding their moral and ethical values

surrounding animal rights.

When presented with vegetarian advocacy materials, individuals with animal rights

motives develop even stronger opinions surrounding this topic. In the study conducted by

Hopwood et al., the researchers also evaluated how individuals with differing motives respond to

vegetarian advocacy materials. The study showed that “people with ethical motives to consider a

vegetarian diet were more responsive to advocacy flyers,” with ethical motives being animal

rights or environmental motives (Hopwood et al.). No matter which motive the advocacy flyer is

intended to appeal to, those with the main motive of animal rights elicit a response that

strengthens their opinions surrounding vegetarianism. As they become exposed to more

advocacy materials, individuals with animal rights as their main motive become even more
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compelled to become vegetarian, with their opinions surrounding vegetarianism and their

willpower to make this personal change increasing.

Individuals with strong opinions surrounding animal rights are more empathetic towards

both humans and animals. In a study conducted by Filippi et al., researchers gave subjects an

unbiased Empathy Quotient questionnaire and obtained brain MRI scans of each subject while

viewing images of neutral landscapes, human suffering, and animal suffering. With the aim to

find differences between brain functional networks in vegetarians and omnivores, the researchers

concluded that, when compared to omnivores, vegetarians have a significantly higher EQ score

(Figure 2), and that vegetarians have a “higher engagement of empathy related areas while

observing negative scenes regarding animals rather than humans” (Filippi et al.). With animal

rights as their main motive for becoming vegetarian, it is no surprise that empathy related areas

were highly activated in these individuals while viewing images of animals suffering, whereas

these areas had less activation in omnivores viewing the same images. Vegetarians’ high

empathy towards animals can be easily seen through their opinions surrounding animal rights,

and this empathy creates a strong willpower to make the decision to become vegetarian.
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Figure 2. Graph of the mean and standard deviation of EQ scores among omnivores, vegetarians,

and vegans, demonstrating the significantly higher score in vegetarians (Filippi et al.).

With a focus on the sustainability of the Earth, many individuals pursue a vegetarian diet

with environmental motives. In the study conducted by Hopwood et al., including the VEMI and

questionnaire assessing personal characteristics, the researchers found that many individuals with

environmental motives for becoming vegetarian are active in environmental organizations

(Hopwood et al.). They also discovered a correlation between individuals with environmental

motives and visiting museums, enjoying new experiences, and “valuing intellectual pursuits”

(Hopwood et al.). Through their participation in environmental organizations, it is clear to see

that these individuals hold a strong care for the health of the Earth. Resulting from this care,

individuals with the environment as their main motive to become vegetarian do their part to help

sustain Earth and its resources by becoming vegetarian.

When presented with more information on how eating meat affects the environment,

individuals with environmental motives for becoming vegetarian develop an even stronger desire

to pursue this lifestyle change. In the study by Hopwood et al., the researchers also investigated

how these environmentalists respond to vegetarian advocacy. They did find some correlation

between environmental flyers influencing those motivated by the environment, but these

individuals generally responded to any type of vegetarian advocacy flyers (Hopwood et al.).

With a genuine care for the health of the Earth, these individuals respond positively to vegetarian

advocacy, especially flyers showing environmental impacts. Through viewing advocacy

materials, individuals with environmental motives for becoming vegetarian grow their willpower

to make this change, strengthening their opinions until they ultimately pursue a vegetarian diet.
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Although the environment plays a major role in leading an individual to become

vegetarian, in reality, many environmentalists still eat meat. In a study conducted by Scott et al.,

researchers aimed to determine why environmentalists eat meat. Through their study, the

researchers determined five main reasons as to why environmentalists refrain from becoming

vegetarian: they believe environmental problems will be solved in the future; changing

individual behavior will not make a difference unless the system changes as a whole; individual

change matters, but it is more complex than simply stopping the consumption of meat; it makes

sense to give up meat, but they do not have the willpower; eating meat is natural, necessary,

normal, and enjoyable (Scott et al.). If an individual does not believe that becoming a vegetarian

will solve environmental issues, they will not pursue this diet. If an individual genuinely enjoys

eating meat, they will not pursue this diet. If an individual simply does not have the willpower to

become vegetarian, they will not pursue this diet. Ultimately, if environmentalists do not believe

becoming vegetarian will solve environmental issues or if they do not have strong enough

willpower, they will not make this choice; the choice to pursue a vegetarian diet develops only if

strong enough opinions and strong enough willpower are present.

With the want to be as healthy as possible, human health is a major factor influencing

individuals to become vegetarian. In the study conducted by Hopwood et al., when determining

personality traits that correlate with each motive, the researchers determined that health was the

greatest factor motivating individuals, with this motive “[having] the broadest array of

correlates” (Hopwood et al.). They also characterized these individuals as being “conventional,”

with personality traits such as being “male, hard-working, [and] obedient” (Hopwood et al.).

With health as the factor influencing most people, it is no surprise that this motive is correlated

with such a wide range of personality traits. As people hear about the health benefits of
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becoming vegetarian, they become compelled to make this diet choice with the hope to see these

benefits in themselves.

Surprisingly, when exposed to vegetarian advocacy flyers, individuals with health as their

main motive to become vegetarian do not elicit a strong response. In the study conducted by

Hopwood et al. regarding how different individuals respond to vegetarian advocacy flyers, the

researchers determined that “people driven primarily by health motives are least likely to

respond to vegetarian advocacy” (Hopwood et al.). While this may seem contradictory, as health

motives are the most widespread, it makes sense when compared to the ethical motives (the

environment and animal rights). Many individuals care for their health, but they do not see

vegetarianism as the easiest, or even best, way to become healthier. With other diet options,

more active lifestyles, and even possible improvements on mental health, individuals motivated

by health are not as compelled to become vegetarian as individuals motivated by the

environment or animal rights. While human health motivates individuals to become vegetarian to

an extent, it does not have as great of an influence as the environment or animal rights.

Vegetarian diets, as opposed to carnivorous diets, have shown a multitude of health

benefits. According to Buckert et al., many studies have demonstrated the health benefits of

vegetarian diets. Vegetarianism is “associated with a lower incidence of . . . type II diabetes,

gallstones, stroke, and certain cancers,” and vegetarian individuals tend to have a lower BMI,

although vegetarians are at risk for nutritional deficits (Buckert et al.). With this risk, vegetarians

must ensure they are still obtaining all of the necessary nutrients, even in the absence of meat.

There are a plethora of health benefits correlated with becoming vegetarian, benefits that can

begin to motivate individuals to pursue this diet, but individuals must be mindful of their dietary

choices and nutrient intake in order to see these health benefits.

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While there are many potential health benefits associated with vegetarianism, this diet

may also be associated with poorer health factors. In a study conducted by Buckert et al.,

Austrian individuals were given an unbiased survey assessing their diet habits and health. They

were then categorized and matched, with a vegetarian individual matched to three levels of

carnivorous diets, based on the amount of meat consumed. Through statistical analyses aimed to

analyze differences between each group, the researchers found that “vegetarians have the lowest

mean BMI,” they suffer from more mental illnesses, such as anxiety and depression, and

“concerning self-reported health, vegetarians differ significantly from each of the other groups,

toward poorer health” (Buckert et al.). With so many individuals motivated by health factors, it is

interesting that vegetarian diets are correlated with negative health factors as well. This makes

sense when considering the possibility of nutrient deficits resulting from a vegetarian diet,

though. If individuals are not consuming the necessary nutrients, their health will most likely

decline and they will not experience the supposed health benefits of a vegetarian diet. Many

studies show contradictory information on how vegetarian diets affect an individual’s health, so

more research needs to be done on these correlations. Overall, health can be a valid factor

influencing one to become vegetarian, as long as they maintain a healthy nutrient intake.

Many individuals believe by consuming foods labeled as “plant based,” they are getting a

more nutritious meal than the meat alternative. According to Cara Rosenbloom, a registered

dietician, many plant based foods are ultra-processed products created with the intent of tasting

the same as the meat they are imitating. These plant based, ultra-processed foods, consisting of

“industrial formulations with five or more ingredients,” prove to be extremely similar to their

animal based counterparts when comparing them based on their nutrients (Rosenbloom). They

do not carry a better nutritional value through being labeled as “plant based,” but rather these
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food items may trick consumers into believing that they are eating a healthier alternative to

animal products. Just because a food item is plant based does not mean it is automatically

healthy; both plant based and animal based items can have a high nutritional value, depending on

how processed they are. Individuals can easily find healthier plant based alternatives to animal

based foods, they just need to focus on the actual content and added ingredients to the plant item,

rather than solely considering the label.

Meat, particularly red meat, contains a wide variety of nutrients that are vital to an

individual’s health. According to Laura Wyness, who studies dietetics, nutrition, and biological

sciences, lean red meat provides many beneficial micronutrients that individuals utilizing other

diets may be lacking. Red meat contains “the minerals magnesium, iron, potassium, and zinc,”

and it also is rich in protein (Wyness). While many people in favor of vegetarian diets cite the

negative health effects of eating meat, consuming meat also has positive effects. For example, it

provides protein and other nutrients that can be harder to find in other diets. That does not mean

that vegetarian diets are unhealthy, though. While carnivorous diets can be healthy, so can

vegetarian diets; health is still a valid motivator for becoming vegetarian, as long as individuals

do not develop nutrient deficiencies as a result of this diet.

Overall, individuals cite many sources for interest in a vegetarian diet. They may

ethically want to stop the cruel treatment of animals or protect the environment, or they may

focus more on personal health. Ultimately, the ethical motives for becoming vegetarian outweigh

the health motives, as a healthier lifestyle can be easily achieved through a plethora of sources

other than a vegetarian diet. All three factors do influence individuals to some extent, though.

Many individuals are saddened by the unjust treatment of animals in factory farms. They believe

that these animals deserve open areas to roam and graze, rather than being trapped in a tiny pen
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from birth to slaughter; these individuals are motivated by animal rights. Others see the

detrimental environmental impacts of factory farms. From air and water contamination to its

contribution to climate change, these individuals identify the negative ways in which factory

farms affect the health of the Earth; they are motivated by the environment. Lastly, other

individuals see the potential negative health effects of consuming animals from factory farms.

With added hormones to develop faster and with vaccinations to stop the spread of disease in

tightly packed pens, ingesting these chemicals into the human body can prove to harm one’s

overall health; these individuals are motivated by health. The strength of opinions surrounding

these three motives differs from one individual to another, and it is ultimately this strength that

determines if the individual will adopt a vegetarian diet. With stronger opinions comes greater

personal willpower, and with greater personal willpower comes an increased likelihood of

making the personal sacrifice to cut out meat from one’s diet.
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Works Cited

Burkert, Nathalie T., et al. "Nutrition and Health - The Association between Eating Behavior and

Various Health Parameters: A Matched Sample Study." PLoS ONE, vol. 9, no. 2, 2014, p.

e88278. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints,

link.gale.com/apps/doc/A478820240/OVIC?u=dayt30401&sid=OVIC&xid=7661e746.

Accessed 29 Apr. 2021.

Filippi, Massimo, et al. "The Brain Functional Networks Associated to Human and Animal

Suffering Differ among Omnivores, Vegetarians and Vegans." PLoS ONE,

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0010847. Accessed 29

Apr. 2021.

Hopwood, Christopher J., et al. “Health, Environmental, and Animal Rights Motives for

Vegetarian Eating.” PLoS ONE, vol. 15, no. 4, Apr. 2020, pp. 1–20. EBSCOhost,

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0230609. Accessed 29 Apr. 2021.

Rollin, Bernard. "Factory Farms." Encyclopedia of Environmental Ethics and Philosophy, edited

by J. Baird Callicott and Robert Frodeman, vol. 1, Macmillan Reference USA, 2009, pp.

421-423. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints,

link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3234100131/OVIC?

u=dayt30401&sid=OVIC&xid=c08ab313. Accessed 29 Apr. 2021.

Scott, Evon, et al. "Why environmentalists eat meat." PLoS ONE, vol. 14, no. 7, 2019, p.

e0219607. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints,

link.gale.com/apps/doc/A592987671/OVIC?u=dayt30401&sid=OVIC&xid=4134ec00.

Accessed 29 Apr. 2021.

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Wyness, Laura. “The Role of Red Meat in the Diet: Nutrition and Health Benefits.” Proceedings

of the Nutrition Society, vol. 75, no. 3, 2016, pp. 227–232.,

doi:10.1017/S0029665115004267. Accessed 29 Apr. 2021.