Factors that Encourage and/or Inhibit Behavior Change in Regard to Meat and Dairy Consumption
Open Access
- Author:
- Cuddy, Bridget
- Area of Honors:
- Community, Environment, and Development
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Theodore Roberts Alter, Thesis Supervisor
Theodore Roberts Alter, Thesis Honors Advisor
Robert Magneson Chiles, Faculty Reader - Keywords:
- Meat and Dairy Consumption
Factors of Behavior
Mindfulness
Behavior Change - Abstract:
- This research aims to identify the factors of behavior that are most important to consider in regard to encouraging and/or inhibiting change in food consumption patterns, particularly from meat and dairy to plant-based alternatives. Behavior models within the Literature Review act as the method, and foundation of this research, highlighting the multitude of factors that shape human behavior. A conceptual analysis and synthesis of these models lead to the findings and discussion, which highlight several factors of behavior and their role in enacting change in regard to meat and dairy consumption. The findings show the complexity of behavior and the challenges of effecting human behavioral change. Five factors of behavior have shown to be particularly relevant to this research, as they contribute to the understanding of behavior change and the inherent challenges associated with them. This synthesis can equip researchers and the general public with the information to understand why people carry out particular consumption patterns and behaviors. A key to changing behavior is being mindful and aware of the consequences of one’s behaviors and the possible personal responsibility present to make a change. In order to enact change, it’s important for individuals and/or those seeking to exert external influence on individuals to understand the individual and community or cultural life experiences of individuals. People are complex and unique individuals who have passions and beliefs of their own. The possibility for growth and change is endless when various parties can come together, at the crossroads of their passions and beliefs, to solve complex problems and make the world a better place.