Plant-Based Meat and the Perceived Familiarity Gap Hypothesis: The Role of Health and Environmental Consciousness

Authors

  • Pengya Ai Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University
  • Sofia Contreras-Yap Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University
  • Shirley S. Ho Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University

Keywords:

plant-based meat, knowledge gap hypothesis, sustainable food, meat alternative, mass media, survey

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of motivational factors on the perceived familiarity gap in the context of plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs). Through a nationally representative survey of 1,008 adults in Singapore, this study finds a perceived familiarity gap for PBMAs between less- and more-educated people and that attention to television news, newspapers, television programs, the Internet, and social media narrows the perceived familiarity gap. Furthermore, the study finds significant three-way interactions among newspaper attention, education, and environmental consciousness, as well as three-way interactions among television news attention, education, and environmental consciousness. Theoretical and practical contributions are discussed.

Author Biographies

Pengya Ai, Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University

Title: MsPengya Ai is a Ph.D. student at Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University.

Sofia Contreras-Yap, Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University

Title: MsSofia Contreras-Yap is a Ph.D. student at Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University.

Shirley S. Ho, Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University

Title: ProfessorShirley S. Ho is a professor at Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University.

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Published

2023-01-29

Issue

Section

Articles