The Development of Speciesism: Age-Related Differences in the Moral View of Animals

Humans care for the well-being of some animals (e.g., dogs) yet tacitly endorse maltreatment others pigs). What treatment is deemed morally appropriate an animal can depend on whether characterized as “food.” When such categorization emerges and when a moral hierarchy beings depending their species membership (speciesism) develops poorly understood. We investigate this development across samples children (9–11 years old), young adults (18–21 (29–59 old; total N = 479). Compared with adults, (a) show less speciesism, (b) are likely to categorize farm food than pets, (c) think ought be treated better, (d) deem eating meat products acceptable. These findings imply that there key age-related differences in our view worth point socially constructed over lifespan.