Publication Type
Journal Article
Version
publishedVersion
Publication Date
6-2018
Abstract
Science communicators are increasingly recognizing the potential of narratives to reach and influence audiences. However, do audiences recognize and consider this tactic when evaluating how such messages influence themselves and others? This study compares third-person perceptions of persuasive narrative and nonnarrative messages in a climate change context. Results suggest that individuals are aware of the influence of narratives and are able to resist this influence, but this is only when they perceive a message as having negative influence. Otherwise, individuals underestimate the influence of narratives on themselves. These findings add an audience-centered perspective to the current discussions on incorporating narratives within science communication.
Keywords
climate change, narrative persuasion, narrativity, social distance, third-person perception
Discipline
Environmental Sciences | Place and Environment
Research Areas
Integrative Research Areas
Publication
Science Communication
Volume
40
Issue
3
First Page
340
Last Page
365
ISSN
1075-5470
Identifier
10.1177/1075547018766556
Publisher
SAGE Publications (UK and US)
Citation
DAHLSTROM, Michael Field and ROSENTHAL, Sonny.
Third-person perception of science narratives: The case of climate change denial. (2018). Science Communication. 40, (3), 340-365.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/cis_research/188
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.1177/1075547018766556