Network Analysis of Stereotypical Human Perceptions of Different Animal Groups and Relation with Diet

Abstract Research into stereotypes has elucidated how social groups develop perceptions about each other. Human-human relationship models are now being adapted for human-animal interactions to gauge our behavior toward different animal categories. Based on the Stereotype Content Model ( SCM ), this study aims to scrutinize and outline the structure of evaluative responses toward different animal groups using network analysis. The present work involved 248 omnivores and 222 vegetarians/vegans who completed scales measuring four stereotypical dimensions (competence, sociability, morality, and immorality). The findings suggest that the stereotypical patterns observed in human social groups bear resemblance to those found in animal groups. There are fewer disparities between the stereotypes held by omnivores and vegetarians/vegans than anticipated from existing literature. This research delineates how individuals construct distinct networks based on animal groups considered and further findings are discussed.