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Perceptions of Animals - Sat. 1:30pm
Public perception of animals as food, companions, laborers, victims; role of language

Presenters: Davis, Prescott, Thompson

Eric Prescott
Director, Boston Vegan Association

Click here for a printable version of Eric's outline.

Compartmentalization and Cognitive Dissonance

Problem:

• Compartmentalization: Separating conflicting thoughts into distinct boxes
• Language, euphemistic expressions reinforce compartments:
• "Food animals"
• "Circus animals"
• "Lab animals"
• "Beef" (etc.)
  

Vegan Solution:

• Re-integration: Unpack the boxes
  • Introduce cognitive dissonance (a central mechanism by which we experience new differences in the world).
    • Create a clash with one's self-concept
      - People say they care about animals. When confronted with how their behavior harms animals, they are forced to change beliefs or behavior.
    • Deconstruct language / reframe: seeing things as they actually are
      • "Animals killed/enslaved for their flesh/muscle/eggs/milk."
      • "Animals enslaved and manipulated for human amusement."
      • "Animals vivisected without their consent."
      • "Cow flesh" (etc.)