We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
From analytical to empathetic: Disruptive communication for action-based decision-making
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined how disruptive communication approaches can be shifted from purely analytical to empathetic framing to better drive engagement and action-based decision-making around plastic pollution. The study found that combining emotional resonance with concrete action pathways makes disruptive communication more effective at motivating behavioral and policy change.
Disruptive communication has been used to stimulate engagement around plastic pollution among various audiences (e.g., Löfström et al., 2021). It is defined as communication that interrupts normal life aiming to foster radical change (Klöckner & Löfström, 2022). However, it also needs to be chanelled towards concrete decisions and action (Klöckner & Löfström, 2022). In this project, we address humans' documented misperception of risk (Slovic, 1987; Pidgeon, 2012) and difficulty in interpreting and integrating uncertainty in decision-making. We treat local and regional decision-makers as laypeople and engage them in a citizen science experiment to gauge the potential of different communication forms to help understand plastic pollution and its negative impacts. This is achieved by subjecting the participants to a serious game or simulation of decision-making on the basis of three different 'treatments', two of which present the facts in different ways: 1) Learning through reading a scientific report, 2) Learning through use of an interactive geographic visualization tool. And finally, 3) citizen science approach where decision-makers take part in research by examining fish gills for microplastic fibers. The latter is seen as disruptive in a Norwegian coastal community where the economy is based on fishing. It is used as to stimulate empathy by exposing the participants to the effects of plastic pollution on fish, which is deeply embedded in the local culture and economy. Through the results, we investigate the decision-makers' interpretation of scientific information, targeting the concepts of risk and uncertainty. We further highlight whether the analytical tools are enough to stimulate the level of empathy or care needed for positive action-based decisions. The experiences gathered in this study help deepen our understanding of how we as scientists can better reach decision-makers to build mutual trust and encourage wise, empathetic policy-development grounded in scientific evidence. Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/559410/document
More Papers Like This
From analytical to empathetic: Disruptive communication for action-based decision-making
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined how disruptive communication strategies can more effectively engage diverse audiences around plastic pollution and translate awareness into concrete action and policy decisions. The research found that empathetic framing combined with actionable guidance improves the impact of disruptive communication beyond emotional provocation alone.
Disruptive Communication as a Means to Engage Children in Solving Environmental Challenges: A Case Study on Plastic Pollution
AI summary Read the abstract
This paper presents a case study using disruptive communication strategies to engage children in addressing plastic pollution through an interactive campaign. The study found that participatory, child-centered approaches were effective at building environmental awareness and motivating behavior change around plastic use. Engaging young people in plastic pollution solutions is important for long-term reduction in the plastic waste that generates microplastics.
Communication Determinants of Environmental Behavior in the Context of Microplastics : An Examination of Cultural Cognition Types, Risk Perception, Psychological Distance, and Negative Emotions
AI summary Read the abstract
A survey of 1,000 Korean adults found that hierarchical cultural cognition influenced pro-environmental behavior toward microplastics through risk perception, psychological distance, and negative emotions, while individualist cognition operated only through negative emotions. These findings show that culturally tailored communication strategies — not one-size-fits-all messaging — are needed to translate public awareness of microplastic risks into actual behavior change.
The Effects of Message Framing on Response to Plastic Reduction Policies
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined whether framing plastic pollution messaging in different ways — such as emphasising health risks versus environmental damage — affects public support for plastic reduction policies. Researchers found that message framing influences attitudes toward plastic pollution but the link to specific policy support was complex.
Energizing through Visuals: How Social Entrepreneurs Use Emotion-Symbolic Work for Social Change
AI summary Read the abstract
This longitudinal study examined how social entrepreneurs combating plastic pollution use visual and verbal communication to drive social change. The authors identified 'emotion-symbolic work' as a strategy that employs visuals to elicit moral shock, then transforms negative emotions into collective energy for enacting pro-environmental behavior.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.