Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons™
Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 2 of 2
Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
The Impact Of Message Source On The Effectiveness Of Communications About Climate Change, Toby Bolsen, Risa Palm, Justin Kingsland
The Impact Of Message Source On The Effectiveness Of Communications About Climate Change, Toby Bolsen, Risa Palm, Justin Kingsland
USI Publications
We conducted a survey experiment in which we presented 1,850 respondents with one of two versions of an appeal emphasizing either the threats to the environment or threats to national security of the United States as a result of climate change. The messages were attributed to one of four sources: Republican Party leaders, Democratic Party leaders, military officials, or climate scientists. The results reveal that messages attributed to military leaders, or to Republican Party leaders, can enhance the impact of the appeal. This finding underscores the importance that the source of any communication can have on its overall effectiveness.
Counteracting Climate Science Politicization With Effective Frames And Imagery, Toby Bolsen, Risa Palm, Justin Kingsland
Counteracting Climate Science Politicization With Effective Frames And Imagery, Toby Bolsen, Risa Palm, Justin Kingsland
USI Publications
Politicization of science occurs when the inherent uncertainty of science is emphasized to cast doubt on scientific consensus. Climate change has become particularly susceptible to this kind of politicization. In this article, we report the results of a survey experiment in which we manipulated text frames and visual imagery associated with two types of environmental hazards linked to climate change—sea level rise with associated flooding and increased heat levels with associated drought and wildfires. We present evidence that the use of visual imagery can counter the effects that science politicization has on climate change beliefs and behaviors.