Previous research has investigated the relationship betv*/een empathy with humans and attitudes toward animais, Deveioping a better understanding of this reiationship, as weli as other reiated variables, may assist in the prevention ot antisocial behavior. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the reiationship between sensitivity toward the mistreatment of animais, negative affect, and need for power. Participants were 198 introductory Psychoiogy students, 98 (49.5%) women and 100 (50.5%) men. They compieted three questionnaires; the Need for Power (nPower) subscale of the Index of Personal Reactions (IPP); the Positive and Negative Affect Scheduies-Expanded form (PANAS-X); and the Crueity subscaie of the Attitudes Toward the Treatment of Animais Scale (ATTAS). Results indicated that, among men, individual differences in the affect subscaies of Sadness, Hostility, Fear, and Fatigue, in addition to nPower, were significantly correlated with cruelty attitudes. Linear regression showed that both Hostility and nPower emerged as significant predictors of crueity attitudes. Further analyses revealed a significant iHostiiity x nPower interaction, with Hostiiity related to animai crueity only among men with low nPower scores. Among women, oniy the affect subsoale of Serenity was correiated with animal crueity. Implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.
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