Identity and diet: Politics, religion, social class and vegetarian diet

The links between plant-based diets and political, social class, and religious identities were examined. With a focus on a U.S. sample, participants (N = 287 in Study 1; N = 290 in Study 2) completed an online survey with questions asking about their perceptions of group associations with vegetarianism, their actual diet practices, and their attitudes toward those who practice meat-free diets. Consistent with hypotheses, the results indicated that people associate vegetarianism more with Democrats than with Republicans, more with liberals than conservatives, more with the upper class than lower class, and more with non-Christian groups than Christian groups. Self-identified Republicans and Christians displayed more negative attitudes toward those practicing meat-free diets compared to Democrats and non-Christians. The disconnect between perceived and actual vegetarian diet practices was most notable for social class and social class groups did not differ on their attitudes toward vegans/vegetarianism. There was evidence that social dominance orientation and speciesism mediated the link between group identities and attitudes toward vegans/vegetarianism. The findings support a social identity theory-based perspective for how diet-related group stereotypes can influence diet norms and how identity can influence support for those who practice a diet consistent with a group identity. The links between diet norms and social identity have implications for strategies designed to encourage more plant-based diets.