A new study, published in PLOS One, has sparked a national conversation about the characteristics of vegetarians and meat eaters. The research conducted by John Nezlek, a psychology professor at SWPS University in Poland, found that vegetarians are more likely to prioritize power, achievement, and independence over traditional values such as benevolence and security. This finding contradicts many long-standing stereotypes that portray vegetarians as weak or overly altruistic.
Nezlek analyzed data from three studies involving over 3,700 participants in both the U.S. and Poland. Participants were asked to respond to the Portrait Values Questionnaire, a tool developed by social psychologist Shalom Schwartz to assess 10 core human values. The results revealed that while vegetarians were expected to prioritize environmental and animal welfare, they were surprisingly more focused on power and independence. Nezlek noted that the study is a reminder that stereotypes are not always accurate and that people’s values are complex and multifaceted.
However, the study received significant criticism from a variety of voices. Some vegetarians and vegans agreed with Nezlek’s findings, stating that they often face social pushback for their dietary choices, which can foster resilience and independence. Others, including meat eaters, argued that labeling people by diet oversimplifies human behavior and can reinforce stereotypes. For example, Nick Norwitz, a Harvard-educated researcher and metabolic health educator, called the findings an