VEGETARIANS IN THE LIGHT OF FREIBURG PERSONALITY-INVENTORY

The lifestyle of vegetarians can be comparatively clearly differentiated from the lifestyle of general population. We think that differences in external manifestations are caused by differences in personality characteristics of vegetarians and non-vegetarians. The study presents results obtained by using the Freiburg Personality Inventory in a group of 178 vegetarians. From the statistical point of view, the following groups of probands are compared: vegetarians versus control group of nonvegetarians (N = 154), semi-vegetarians (N = 54) versus lacto-ovo-vegetarians (N = 96) and vegans versus vegetarians (N = 28); the simultaneous influence of food and sex was studied, too. Vegetarians and non-vegetarians differ significantly in dimensions Nervousness (t = 2,54(+)) and Dominance (t = 4,18(++)). The synergic effect of food and sex (F = 3,91(+)) has been proved in the dimension Dominance. The subgroups of vegetarians formed from the viewpoint of the extent of restriction of the consumption of meat differ in dimensions Nervousness (F = 3,09(+)), Openness (F = 3,17(+)) and Masculinity (F = 4,49(+)). It has been confirmed that vegetarians and non-vegetarians differ concerning personality characteristics. The specification of psychological differentiating features of vegetarians and general population can be a help when predicting the behaviour related to health; it can thus make the prevention from civilization diseases more effective.