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"Personality
Differences between Pro- and Anti-Vivisectionists"
Authors of
original article: John Broida, Leanne Tingley, Robert Kimball and
Joseph Miele
Originally published in Society and Animals
Volume 1, Number 2, 1993*
In one of the first major studies of the relation between
personality and positions in the animal rights debate, the authors
surveyed over 1000 students at seven universities. They found that
intuitive and feeling types were more likely to oppose animal
experimentation than sensate and thinking types. Intuitive types
seek general impressions of possibilities and are less patient
with routine, structured, and mechanical approaches. Similarly,
feeling types are concerned about ethical applications of
knowledge and are more concerned with individuals than with
knowledge itself. In comparison, sensate types emphasize the
concrete aspects of the here and now, focusing on the details
rather than the global significance, and thinking types are
concerned with how knowledge is obtained. In sum proponents of
animal research are more concrete and intellectual, while
opponents maintain a broader perspective and are more oriented to
personal relationships.
A later study by Matthews and Herzog (Society and Animals, 5,
2, 1997) offered support to the present study. Using a different
measure of personality, they found that positive attitudes toward
animal welfare were associated with sensitivity, defined as
tender-minded, artistic, and intuitive.
In other studies, advocacy of nonhuman animal rights has been
associated with political and religious liberalism, with empathy,
and, the most telling variable, with being a women. In one study,
it was found that support animal rights is related to other social
issues, lack of acceptance of violence (pro gun control) and
acceptance of diversity and choice (homosexuality, womens' rights)
(Nibert, Society and Animals, 2, 2, 1994).
A portrait of animal advocates that emerges from this
literature is that of a caring, sensitive, engaged, and giving
individual.
*Available from Psychologists for the
Ethical Treatment of Animals, P.O. Box 1297, Washington Grove,
MD 20880-1297; 301-963-4751.
To order Journal
of Applied Animal Welfare Science or Society & Animals,
go to our secure online
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