Empathy, System Justification, And Aggression in The Context of The Animal Protection Law: A Social-Psychological Analysis of Supporters and Opponents

Abstract Book of the 7th International Conference on Research in Psychology

Year: 2026

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Empathy, System Justification, And Aggression in The Context of The Animal Protection Law: A Social-Psychological Analysis of Supporters and Opponents

Gökçen Ergen, Zehra Ceren Atabey, Meryem Berrin Bulut

ABSTRACT:

In Turkey, stray animals, particularly dogs, have long constituted a significant social concern. The enactment of Bill No. 160, which amended the Animal Protection Law, renewed public debate and highlighted ideological divisions within society. Drawing on System Justification Theory, the present study examines the psychological mechanisms underlying attitudes toward the law by investigating the associations among empathy toward animals, system justification, and aggression. Additionally, it explores whether system justification mediates the relationship between empathy and aggression, and whether supporters and opponents of the bill differ in these dimensions. A total of 239 participants completed measures assessing animal-directed empathy, system justification, and aggression, along with sociodemographic information. Analyses indicated significant relationships among empathy, system justification, and aggression. Supporters of the law exhibited higher system justification and lower empathy compared to opponents; however, system justification did not mediate the link between empathy and aggression. These findings underscore the influence of ideological motives on moral and affective responses, providing insight into the public polarization surrounding legislative reforms.

Keywords: Attitudes; Behavior; Differences; Legislation; Perception