scholarly journals Saving Species in a Snap: On the Feasibility and Efficacy of Augmented Reality-based Wildlife Interactions for Biodiversity Conservation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Pimentel
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Design ◽  
Augmented Reality ◽  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Social Presence ◽  
Behavioral Intentions ◽  
Environmental Concern ◽  
Mobile Augmented Reality ◽  
Within Subjects ◽  
Environmental Interests

Abstract Interactions with wildlife can contribute to biodiversity conservation outcomes, though safety and accessibility considerations limit animal encounters from being a viable strategy. This investigation explores the feasibility of mobile augmented reality to facilitate interactions with wildlife and encourage biodversity conservation. A mobile augmented reality experience (Snapchat lens), titled “Penguin Rescue!”, was created to allow users to rehabilitate an oil-slicked virtual penguin. Study 1 distributed the lens globally to Snapchat users (N=63,605) who spent an average of 47 seconds rehabilitating the penguin; psychographic data showed pro-environmental interests were not associated with the lens’ use. Study 2 employed a within-subjects experimental design (N=80) to examine the effects of Penguin Rescue! on conservation outcomes. Results showed that the interaction increased connectedness with the species. Moreover, social presence and plausibility served as key mechanisms contributing to environmental concern and behavioral intentions. Overall, results clarify how biophilic interactions via augmented reality can benefit biodiversity conservation.

Experimental Design as a Retrieval Method for Assessing the Phenomenological Characteristics of Episodic Memories, Episodic Future Thoughts, and Episodic Counterfactual Thoughts

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jared Branch
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Design ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Retrieval Method ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Within Subjects ◽  
Demand Effects ◽  
Episodic Memories ◽  
Theoretical Considerations

Studies assessing the phenomenological characteristics of episodic memories, episodic future thoughts, and episodic counterfactual thoughts normally utilize a within-subjects design. As such, there are concerns that the observed similarities in phenomenological characteristics are the result of demand effects or other related matters, rather than theoretical considerations. In this study, a within-subjects experimental design was directly compared with a between-subjects experimental design. In both conditions, participants responded to existing questionnaires used to assess phenomenological characteristics of episodic memories, episodic future thoughts, and episodic counterfactual thoughts. The within-subjects design resulted more often in significant findings and larger effect sizes compared to the between-subjects design. The implications for experimental design in future studies is discussed.

Motivating Exercise Through Social Media: Is a Picture Always Worth a Thousand Words?

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlyn Johnston ◽  
William E. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Experimental Design ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Media Content ◽  
Exercise Motivation ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Within Subjects

In the present study, we examined how the influence of exercise-related social media content on exercise motivation might differ across content type (with images vs. without images) and account type (individual vs. corporate). Using a 2 × 2 within-subjects experimental design, 229 participants viewed a series of 40 actual social media posts across the four conditions (individual posts with images, corporate posts with images, individual posts without images, and corporate posts without images) in a randomized order. Participants rated the extent to which they felt each social media post motivated them to exercise, would motivate others to exercise, and was posted for extrinsic reasons. Participants also completed other measures of individual differences including their own exercise motivation. Posts with images from individuals were more motivating than posts with images from corporations; however, corporate posts without images were more motivating than posts without images from individuals. Participants expected others to be similarly motivated by the stimuli, and perceived corporate posts as having been posted for more extrinsic reasons than individuals’ posts. These findings enhance our understanding of how social media may be used to promote positive health behaviors.

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