Insects as an option of sustainable food consumption? A qualitative content analysis of social media data in China
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 7147634 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Xiao‐xiao Liu (0000-0001-5687-4434, School of Management Xiamen University Xiamen China), Hexin Zhou (School of Management Xiamen University Xiamen China), Qirui Tian (0000-0001-9231-0898, School of Psychology Shandong Normal University Jinan China, corresponding author), Xinyue Wang (0009-0008-6630-2235, School of Management Xiamen University Xiamen China) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 28 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Publication date | 2025-09-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Asian Journal Of Social Psychology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1367-2223 • E-ISSN: 1467-839X |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1111/ajsp.70030 |
| OpenAlex | W4411468719 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 35 |
Insect‐based protein has been proposed as a substitute of meat for sustainability. Previous research on insect‐eating mostly relies on self‐report surveys or hypothetical scenarios. Since the appropriateness of food and food consumption are deeply rooted in the socio‐cultural context, a systematic examination of sharing on social media regarding attitudes and behaviours of insect‐eating is highly necessary. We retrieved personal sharing on insect‐eating via Sina Weibo from 2019 to 2023 and analysed the data using qualitative content analysis. The findings indicate polarised attitudes towards insect‐eating, influenced by cognitive reconfiguration, both direct and indirect experiences of insect‐eating, as well as perceived necessity. In the attitude–behaviour link, we also identify several contingency factors, such as attribution to conspiracy theory and mostly negative stereotypes of insect‐eating as well as insect‐eaters. Implications for both research and practices are discussed. In particular, practitioners should pay attention to the within‐country variation of insect‐eating customs, concerns for risk of eating insects and be cautious to use moralised communication strategies to promote sustainable food consumption
Attribution · Biology · Content analysis · Contingency · Developmental psychology · Economics · Food consumption · Geography · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Sustainability · Animal and Plant Science Education · Insect Utilization and Effects · Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies · Psychology · Social Psychology · Ecology
Content analysis
Why Ethical Consumers Don’t Walk Their Talk
Lost in translation
The psychology of eating insects
Ethical Pursuit or Personal Nirvana? Unpacking the Practice of Danshari in China
Exploring insect-based food consumption experiences and their consequences in a mature entomophagous community
The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories
Consumers’ perception of novel foods and the impact of heuristics and biases
What is culturally appropriate food consumption? A systematic literature review exploring six conceptual themes and their implications for sustainable food system transformation
Booming the bugs
Japanese attitude toward insects as food
It tastes OK, but I don't want to eat it
Nationalism on Their Own Terms
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2025 - 2025 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |