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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

An Exploratory Study Of Risk Experience And Personal Values On Support For Climate Change Policies, Cara Lawson, Kiera Dwyer, Laura Morgan Fischer, Lauren Chase Dec 2023

An Exploratory Study Of Risk Experience And Personal Values On Support For Climate Change Policies, Cara Lawson, Kiera Dwyer, Laura Morgan Fischer, Lauren Chase

Journal of Applied Communications

In 2020 Oregon suffered one of the worst wildfire seasons on record that included a higher percentage of burned forest area, the destruction of residential areas, and significant risk to human health. The level of wildfire intensity was largely attributed as an effect of climate change, and future Oregon wildfire seasons are predicted to grow in intensity, acreage burned, and total duration. Public policy can be a tool to help to mitigate the effects of climate change, but successful policy implementation relies on public support. Therefore, this study sought to explore two factors that may influence support for climate change …


U.S. Geographic Differences In Media Source Use During Covid-19 Shelter In Place Orders, Allison R. Fortner, Kristin Gibson, Alexa Lamm Dec 2021

U.S. Geographic Differences In Media Source Use During Covid-19 Shelter In Place Orders, Allison R. Fortner, Kristin Gibson, Alexa Lamm

Journal of Applied Communications

United States news access patterns may have influenced distribution of misinformation in the COVID-19 infodemic, emphasizing the necessity of targeted communication to increase health literacy during a crisis. This study used sense-making theory to explore information-seeking behaviors of U.S. residents during COVID-19 shelter in place orders. This purpose of this study was to identify media outlets used by U.S. residents to access COVID-19 information and determine if access differed according to geographic region. A representative survey of U.S. residents aged 18 or older (N = 1,048) revealed the mainstream media outlets used most were domestic government-based sources. Northeastern …


Agricultural Mothers’ Conversations & Decision-Making About Food, Alyssa Rockers, Quisto Settle, Dwayne Cartmell Dec 2020

Agricultural Mothers’ Conversations & Decision-Making About Food, Alyssa Rockers, Quisto Settle, Dwayne Cartmell

Journal of Applied Communications

Agricultural organizations have encouraged farmers and others involved in the agricultural industry to discuss their experiences with consumers and to have meaningful conversations about food. While agriculturalists are encouraged to share their stories on the internet through social networking platforms and blogs, they are also encouraged to have interpersonal conversations about food and agriculture. Due to the elevated concerns of mothers about food and the nature of women and social capital, we need to understand how mothers communicate about food. This qualitative study utilized in-depth interviews with mothers with agricultural backgrounds to answer two research questions: 1) How are mothers …


Looking For Information: An Exploratory Analysis To Explain Public Information-Seeking Behaviors About Mosquito Control, Shelli D. Rampold, Melissa Cater, Ricky W. Telg Sep 2020

Looking For Information: An Exploratory Analysis To Explain Public Information-Seeking Behaviors About Mosquito Control, Shelli D. Rampold, Melissa Cater, Ricky W. Telg

Journal of Applied Communications

Mosquitoes pose substantial risks in communities worldwide, and the extent and type of such risk may vary across communities and regions. The integrated mosquito management approach integrates multidisciplinary methods into practical strategies tailored to local communities. Reduction of mosquito larval sources via community engagement in at-home mosquito control behaviors is a key component of this approach. Best methods of communicating information to the public to foster knowledge and motivation to engage in local mosquito control efforts. The purpose of this descriptional, correlational study was to describe the Florida public’s mosquito control information search behaviors, as well as examine factors that …


Utilizing Extension As A Resource In Disaster Response: Florida Extension’S Communication Efforts During The 2017 Hurricane Season, Moses R. Mike, Shelli D. Rampold, Ricky W. Telg, Angela B. Lindsey Feb 2020

Utilizing Extension As A Resource In Disaster Response: Florida Extension’S Communication Efforts During The 2017 Hurricane Season, Moses R. Mike, Shelli D. Rampold, Ricky W. Telg, Angela B. Lindsey

Journal of Applied Communications

Crisis communication plays a significant role for the different audiences for which it is designed. Hurricanes and other disasters have resulted in major economic damage and disruption of social norms for extended periods of time in communities across the globe. In such circumstances, the Cooperative Extension Service is often called to take an active role in preparation, response, and recovery. As part of the local emergency management team, local Extension offices are positioned to provide a research base, relevant information, and faculty. As such, citizens often look to Extension faculty members for emergency resources and expertise. However, standard communication methods …


“You Call That Meat?” Investigating Social Media Conversations And Influencers Surrounding Cultured Meat, Annie R. Specht, Joy N. Rumble, Emily B. Buck Feb 2020

“You Call That Meat?” Investigating Social Media Conversations And Influencers Surrounding Cultured Meat, Annie R. Specht, Joy N. Rumble, Emily B. Buck

Journal of Applied Communications

Cultured meat has yet to reach store shelves but is nonetheless a growing issue for consumers, producers, and government regulators, many of whom have taken to social media to discuss it. Using a conceptual framework of social cognitive theory and issues management, this qualitative content analysis investigated social-media discourse surrounding the topic of cultured meat in the United States by describing the content of the discussion in late 2018 and identifying individual influencers and communities of influencers engaged in the discussion. Data were collected from Twitter using listening platform Sysomos MAP. The thematic analysis revealed eight themes: legality and marketing …


Crowdsourcing Change: An Analysis Of Twitter Discourse On Food Waste And Reduction Strategies, Annie R. Specht, Emily B. Buck May 2019

Crowdsourcing Change: An Analysis Of Twitter Discourse On Food Waste And Reduction Strategies, Annie R. Specht, Emily B. Buck

Journal of Applied Communications

Food waste has emerged as a major issue in the United States as the nation collectively sends more than 133 billion pounds of food to its landfills every year. In September 2015, the USDA and EPA announced an initiative to cut U.S. food waste in half by 2030. Between 2015 and 2016, nearly 100,000 posts about food waste have been published on Twitter, a microblogging platform that has been a hub of “slacktivism” since its inception in 2006. Using a conceptual framework of social cognitive theory, online activism, and crowdsourcing, we analyzed food waste conversation participants’ demographics, online communities, and …


Perceptions And Attitudes: Analyzing Opinion Leaders In Relation To Genetically Modified Foods, Levy G. Randolph Ii, Joy N. Rumble, Hannah S. Carter Dec 2018

Perceptions And Attitudes: Analyzing Opinion Leaders In Relation To Genetically Modified Foods, Levy G. Randolph Ii, Joy N. Rumble, Hannah S. Carter

Journal of Applied Communications

Controversial issues in agriculture arise, and it falls on opinion leaders to disseminate information to their networks and the public. Agriculturalists are often blamed for not taken consumers’ concerns into consideration. This study sought to add to previous research by identifying the current perceptions of Florida agricultural leaders toward GM food, what percentage of them identify as opinion leaders with respect to GM food, and what they identify as sources of information regarding GM food. Through an online survey, the trust and attitudes towards GM foods and science, of agricultural leaders who participated in the Wedgworth Leadership Institute, were measured …


The Communication Effectiveness Of Scientist-Stakeholder Partnerships Addressing Agriculture And Natural Resources Issues: An Analysis Of The Media Attention And Media Framing Of The Florida Water And Climate Alliance, Shuyang Qu, Tracy Irani Dec 2018

The Communication Effectiveness Of Scientist-Stakeholder Partnerships Addressing Agriculture And Natural Resources Issues: An Analysis Of The Media Attention And Media Framing Of The Florida Water And Climate Alliance, Shuyang Qu, Tracy Irani

Journal of Applied Communications

Scientist-stakeholder partnerships are formed by scientists from academic institutions and industry representatives in an effort to address contingent science issues such as climate change, inform the public and influence public policies. Such organizations often lack expertise in communicating to the public and conducting outreach which are crucial components to building a good reputation. This study selected Florida Water and Climate Alliance [FWCA] as an example of such an organization, exploring its media attention and media framing to assess the visibility and reputation of [FWCA]. Results showed very limited media attention had been devoted to [FWCA]. The framing analysis results indicated …


Perceptions Of Trust: Communicating Climate Change To Cattle Producers, Ricky W. Telg, Lisa Lundy, Cassie Wandersee, Saqib Mukhtar, David Smith, Phillip Stokes Nov 2018

Perceptions Of Trust: Communicating Climate Change To Cattle Producers, Ricky W. Telg, Lisa Lundy, Cassie Wandersee, Saqib Mukhtar, David Smith, Phillip Stokes

Journal of Applied Communications

The Cattle and Climate Conversations Workshop for Cooperative Extension and Natural Resources Conservation Service, the last activity funded through a multi-regional United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) grant, took place in October 2016 in Denver, Colorado, for Extension and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) representatives in the Southwest and Mountain West who work extensively with cattle producers. The purpose of this study was to identify how Extension agents and NRCS personnel in this workshop viewed the issue of “trust,” as it relates to communicating the topic of climate change to cattle producers. Three …


Using Cognitive Dissonance To Communicate With Hypocrites About Water Conservation And Climate Change, Melissa R. Taylor, Alexa J. Lamm, Lisa K. Lundy Jan 2017

Using Cognitive Dissonance To Communicate With Hypocrites About Water Conservation And Climate Change, Melissa R. Taylor, Alexa J. Lamm, Lisa K. Lundy

Journal of Applied Communications

The effects of climate change can be mitigated by altering human behavior related to water conservation; however, many who are aware of climate change are not aligning their behavior to curb the impact. This research sought to explore the relationship between citizens’ beliefs, attitudes and behaviors regarding water conservation and their knowledge and beliefs regarding climate change to guide the development of effective communication campaigns focused on water conservation. Using cognitive dissonance theory and an adapted environmental attitudes and behavior quartet, this research focused on individuals who demonstrated high levels of climate change knowledge but did not engage in positive …


Identifying Publics In Citrus Producing States To Address The Issue Of Citrus Greening, Taylor Ruth 7031249, Alexa J. Lamm, Joy N. Rumble, Jason D. Ellis Ph.D. Jan 2017

Identifying Publics In Citrus Producing States To Address The Issue Of Citrus Greening, Taylor Ruth 7031249, Alexa J. Lamm, Joy N. Rumble, Jason D. Ellis Ph.D.

Journal of Applied Communications

Citrus greening is a critical issue facing the agricultural industry in the United States. The disease has been identified in residential and commercial areas, and there is a need to identify best practices in communicating with the public about the disease. The Situational Theory of Publics (STOPs) uses audience segmentation to determine how to best communicate with target consumers and was used to guide this study. The purpose of the study was to determine the types of publics present in the citrus producing states of Florida, California, and Texas as they relate to citrus greening. An online survey was completed …