Appetite August 2015 PMID 25865663

Rationalizing meat consumption. The 4Ns.

Jared Piazza, Matthew B Ruby, Steve Loughnan, Mischel Luong, Juliana Kulik, Hanne M Watkins, Mirra Seigerman

Mentions

107
Peak: 8 in Jun 2020
across 6 sources since Jun 2020

Extended reach

54,200
potential audience

Total likes

276

Video views

4,926

Mentions per month

Jun 2020 – Mar 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News68 articles
  • Blogs15 articles
  • X / Twitter14 posts
  • Facebook5 posts
  • YouTube3 videos
  • Reddit2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Discussions show strong interest, with comments emphasizing the psychological explanations behind meat consumption, such as the mention of 'defensive rationalisation' and references to related research like Piazza et al (2015). The tone is analytical and reflective, indicating that the article has a meaningful impact on understanding attitudes toward meat eating.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the article's explanation of the 4Ns as common rationalizations for meat-eating, with some posts showing agreement through supportive comments and references.

InterestHigh interest

Posts express high curiosity and interest, referencing related studies and discussing cognitive dissonance, indicating a keen interest in understanding these psychological barriers.

EngagementModerate engagement

Many posts delve into explanations about defense mechanisms and moral considerations, demonstrating moderate engagement with the research and its implications.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussion highlights that the article illuminates significant psychological and ethical factors influencing meat consumption, suggesting some awareness of its potential to change perceptions.

Abstract in brief

  • The text discusses the "4Ns" — beliefs that eating meat is natural, normal, necessary, and nice — as common reasons people give to defend eating meat, though these ideas haven't been extensively tested in research.
  • Six studies showed that most people who justify eating meat with the 4Ns also tend to objectify and devalue animals, view animals less morally, and are less motivated by ethical concerns in their food choices.
  • People strongly endorsing the 4Ns are more likely to eat meat frequently, feel less guilt about harming animals, and hold speciesist attitudes, suggesting these beliefs serve to justify and emotionally ease their meat-eating habits.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Faunalytics
@faunalytics · X

Why do so many people continue to eat meat, even when they recognize how bad it is for #animals, the #environment, and #humanhealth? This study found that people often justify #meatconsumption using #4Ns: it’s Natural, Normal, Necessary, and Nice. https://t.co/OutUagqlng

Jun 1, 2020 · 10 likes · 5 shares · 5,287 followers View post →
Natalia Lawrence
@DrNatLawrence · X

@jan_dutkiewicz @TheLancetPlanet It's common sense and needs to happen but people have a mental block about meat reduction due to defensive rationalisation (to avoid the uncomfortable cognitive dissonance related to eating meat https://t.co/IvAkiWuQid ) so progress is slow

May 9, 2023 · 6 likes · 418 followers View post →
Markus Vinnari
@MarkusVinnari · X

@MiskaKuusela Ei kai tuossa tarvitse kaikkia vaiheita tehdä, jotta omalle käyttäytymiselle etsii perusteluja? Riittää, että on tietoinen noista edeltävistä vaiheista. Kannattaa lukea tuo alkuperäinen artikkeli: https://t.co/y5fbAW662K

Feb 23, 2021 · 2 likes · 5,337 followers View post →
Evelyn WaughⓋ
@Kerbrech · X

Rationalizing meat consumption. The 4Ns https://t.co/E56SmEwLss

May 17, 2022 · 1 like · 1,832 followers View post →
Susan Metcalfe
@susanamet · X

RT @faunalytics: Why do so many people continue to eat meat, even when they recognize how bad it is for #animals, the #environment, and #hu…

Jun 1, 2020 · 5 shares · 8,205 followers View post →
Eyes on Animals
@Eyes_on_Animals · X

RT @faunalytics: Why do so many people continue to eat meat, even when they recognize how bad it is for #animals, the #environment, and #hu…

Jun 2, 2020 · 5 shares · 7,821 followers View post →

All mentions

Edgar Zorrilla
@CripterHack · X

@daveasprey "The belief that eating meat is natural, normal, necessary and enjoyable are common rationalizations people use to defend their choice to eat meat." Rationalizing meat consumption. The 4Ns https://t.co/6petEXryYV https://t.co/ZHoDmDlVfb

Mar 2, 2025 · 96 followers View post →
Natalia Lawrence
@DrNatLawrence · X

This paper explains the psychological barrier so well https://t.co/YlbMvrjiGu.

May 27, 2023 · 418 followers View post →
Natalia Lawrence
@DrNatLawrence · X

@jan_dutkiewicz @TheLancetPlanet It's common sense and needs to happen but people have a mental block about meat reduction due to defensive rationalisation (to avoid the uncomfortable cognitive dissonance related to eating meat https://t.co/IvAkiWuQid ) so progress is slow

May 9, 2023 · 6 likes · 418 followers View post →
Patrick
@grylniwytch · X

@kristahalt Great paper, interesting read! Reminds me of Piazza et al (2015) 'Rationalizing meat consumption. The 4Ns'

Sep 11, 2022 · 21 followers View post →
Evelyn WaughⓋ
@Kerbrech · X

Rationalizing meat consumption. The 4Ns https://t.co/E56SmEwLss

May 17, 2022 · 1 like · 1,832 followers View post →
Markus Vinnari
@MarkusVinnari · X

@MiskaKuusela Ei kai tuossa tarvitse kaikkia vaiheita tehdä, jotta omalle käyttäytymiselle etsii perusteluja? Riittää, että on tietoinen noista edeltävistä vaiheista. Kannattaa lukea tuo alkuperäinen artikkeli: https://t.co/y5fbAW662K

Feb 23, 2021 · 2 likes · 5,337 followers View post →
Spartacus 2014
@DeSpartacus · X

RT @HypathieBlog: Rationalizing Meat Consumption: The 4Ns - Les 4 N de la rationalisation de la consommation de viande (pour les 3 premiers…

Jun 3, 2020 · 1 share · 4,231 followers View post →
Hypathie
@HypathieBlog · X

Rationalizing Meat Consumption: The 4Ns - Les 4 N de la rationalisation de la consommation de viande (pour les 3 premiers on peut démontrer le contraire, et le 4ème que j'accepte n'est pas un N en français) : naturel, normal, nécessaire et agréable : https://t.co/SxNqG59zBG

Jun 3, 2020 · 1 share · 7,427 followers View post →
Hannah Battersby
@bathelina · X

RT @faunalytics: Why do so many people continue to eat meat, even when they recognize how bad it is for #animals, the #environment, and #hu…

Jun 2, 2020 · 5 shares · 2,083 followers View post →
Eyes on Animals
@Eyes_on_Animals · X

RT @faunalytics: Why do so many people continue to eat meat, even when they recognize how bad it is for #animals, the #environment, and #hu…

Jun 2, 2020 · 5 shares · 7,821 followers View post →
Dr Elena Nalon
@ElenaNalon · X

RT @faunalytics: Why do so many people continue to eat meat, even when they recognize how bad it is for #animals, the #environment, and #hu…

Jun 2, 2020 · 5 shares · 4,209 followers View post →
Susan Metcalfe
@susanamet · X

RT @faunalytics: Why do so many people continue to eat meat, even when they recognize how bad it is for #animals, the #environment, and #hu…

Jun 1, 2020 · 5 shares · 8,205 followers View post →
Susan Moore
@SRMooreResearch · X

RT @faunalytics: Why do so many people continue to eat meat, even when they recognize how bad it is for #animals, the #environment, and #hu…

Jun 1, 2020 · 5 shares · 1,826 followers View post →
Faunalytics
@faunalytics · X

Why do so many people continue to eat meat, even when they recognize how bad it is for #animals, the #environment, and #humanhealth? This study found that people often justify #meatconsumption using #4Ns: it’s Natural, Normal, Necessary, and Nice. https://t.co/OutUagqlng

Jun 1, 2020 · 10 likes · 5 shares · 5,287 followers View post →