The (Critical) Social Psychology of Speciesism

Abstract

Although human-animal relations have gradually begun to be examined within the scope of (social) psychology in recent years, a critical perspective seems largely missing. In studies conducted from the standpoint of mainstream psychology, animals have generally been evaluated as passive recipients, and the reciprocity of human-animal interaction and the constitutive role of animals in this relationship has been ignored. This article presents a general summary of the newly developing psychology of human-animal relations and the introduction and criticism of emerging approaches on the subject. It also discussed how a different approach in which mutual interaction could be addressed is possible. From a critical perspective, ways to carry out studies on human-animal relations with an understanding beyond interspecies boundaries, including the well-being of animals, are presented.