Heterogeneity in beliefs about feeding stray animals : The complexity of human–animal interaction

• People’s beliefs about feeding stray cats require investigation. Previous studies were based on assumptions about sample homogeneity, potentially obscuring within-group and background differences in beliefs. A latent class analysis was conducted on critical beliefs identified from 167 Malaysian nationals (Kuala Lumpur residents, aged 18-64), based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Two distinct subgroups were discerned, revealing heterogeneity in critical beliefs about feeding stray cats. Subgroup membership was associated with multiple background factors (i.e., ethnicity, past feeding experience, pet cat ownership, and religion). Therefore, interventions to reduce the feeding of stray cats (or to change other behaviors) should accommodate subgroup variations in beliefs and background factors. This study provides a novel methodology for investigating the complexity of human variables in human-animal interaction and other behaviors.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Ekologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Ecology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Feeding stray cats

human dimensions of wildlife

Theory of Planned Behavior

key beliefs

latent class analysis

Enviromental Science

Miljövetenskap

Psychology

Psykologi

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)