Adherence
A 20-minute theory-informed documentary presenting health, environmental, and animal welfare arguments does not significantly reduce actual meat and animal product (MAP) consumption over a 12-day period when social desirability bias is minimized.
Watching a documentary about the benefits of reducing meat consumption is unlikely to change your actual eating habits within two weeks, even if it makes you want to try. The study shows that while people might *say* they will eat less meat (especially if they think the researchers want them to), their actual consumption remains unchanged. To make a real change, information alone is insufficient; you need concrete plans, recipes, and environmental support, not just emotional appeals.
We found that the documentary did not decrease reported MAP consumption when potential social desirability bias was minimized (Studies 1 and 3).
Why this rating
Randomized controlled trials with large sample sizes (n=649, n=300, n=574) and rigorous controls for social desirability bias.
Source
Effectiveness of a Theory-Informed Documentary to Reduce Consumption of Meat and Animal Products: Three Randomized Controlled Experiments
Maya B. Mathur et al. · Nutrients · 2021
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →