The Impact of Emotional and Rational Thinking on Two Types of Speciesism

Alicja Broncel

Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, The Doctoral School of Social Sciences Academia Rerum Socialium
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4513-5535

Maciej Trojan

Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8589-4175

Szymon Bojarski

Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, The Doctoral School of Social Sciences Academia Rerum Socialium
https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6578-8041

Julia Sikorska

Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3262-0696


Abstrakt

Aim: In this study, we examined whether the mode of information processing and emotions influence the level of anthropocentric speciesism (the tendency to prioritize humans over other species) and pet speciesism (the tendency to prioritize companion animals over other species).

Method: Participants (N = 499), randomly assigned to one of three conditions, resolved seven moral dilemmas and assessed the moral status, likability, intelligence and capacity to feel pain, of the included species (dog, bear, fish, and rat).

Results: Individuals guided by emotions (vs. logic) demonstrated higher levels of pet speciesism. We did not observe the reverse relationship for anthropocentric speciesism. Emotions experienced towards species were relevant only for pet speciesism under emotional thinking conditions.

Conclusion: The study only partially confirmed the results described in the literature. We suggest employing more objective manipulation methods in further research on speciesism.


Słowa kluczowe:

human–animal relations, speciesism, animal stereotypes, emotions


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Opublikowane
2025-09-28

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Broncel, A., Trojan, M., Bojarski, S., & Sikorska, J. (2025). The Impact of Emotional and Rational Thinking on Two Types of Speciesism. Przegląd Psychologiczny, 68(2), 155–169. https://doi.org/10.31648/przegldpsychologiczny.12044

Alicja Broncel 
Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, The Doctoral School of Social Sciences Academia Rerum Socialium
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4513-5535
Maciej Trojan 
Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8589-4175
Szymon Bojarski 
Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, The Doctoral School of Social Sciences Academia Rerum Socialium
https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6578-8041
Julia Sikorska 
Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3262-0696