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Updated: Mar 16, 2026

Studying Food Reward and Motivation in Humans
Published on: March 19, 2014
[Vegetarianism and veganism lifestyle: Motivation and psychological dimensions associated with selective diet]
Sasha Mathieu1, Géraldine Dorard1
1Université Sorbonne Paris Cité, université Paris Descartes, institut Henri-Piéron, laboratoire de psychopathologie et processus de santé (EA 4057), IUPDP, 71, avenue Edouard-Vaillant, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France.
Abstract:
Vegetarianism is a food consumption pattern. Vegetarianism, at large, includes several diets depending on exclusion's degree (partial or total) of animal products (meat or dairy). Among them we distinguish, according to the restriction order, flexitarian, semi-vegetarian, pesco-vegetarian, lacto-ovo-vegetarian, vegan food, raw food and fruit diets. These three last modes can extend to a lifestyle called veganism, which is defined as the lack of use of animal products in daily life (cosmetics, clothing, materials, etc.). This diversity can be explained by individual, psychological and motivational characteristics. Main reasons reported by individuals who have undertaken this feeding method are health and ethics. We observe differences in behaviors, attitudes and reactions about animals, disgust and justification of each diet vs. others' diets especially the omnivorous diet.
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