Disruptive Communication as a Means to Engage Children in Solving Environmental Challenges: A Case Study on Plastic Pollution

Environmental degradation and how we care for our planet are some of the greatest challenges the world is up against at this moment. These challenges has received increased focus in both, research and the public sphere. So far, most of this attention revolved around adult’s attitudes and behavior. However, environmental engagement amongst the younger generation gains in popularity. Using plastic pollution as a case, this qualitative study aims to acquire insights into the mental models of children. We collected qualitative data during an innovative, structured workshop according to the “Nature In Your Face” (NIYF) framework. The approach challenges the assumption that the societal change can be achieved gradually, with non-invasive techniques. Instead, we explore the potential of disruption to push citizens out of their comfort zone, thereby making room for co-creation. The disruption was performed by confronting 36 fifth graders from a Norwegian primary school, with disturbing images of plastic contaminating their local shorelines. The data was obtained by using the workshop framework, combined with semi-structured group interviews. The interview data was analyzed by means of thematic analysis. We found that the disruptions triggered emotional reactions like anger and fear. With these emotions as a driving force, the first workshop step was introduced, the Framing of the problem. The next step, Twisting the problem, was reflected in the children developing their own, creative solutions and creatively engaged with them in groups. The last step, Using, was only touched upon in the workshop and is therefore beyond the scope of this paper. Our results indicate that there are three prominent themes reflecting how children discuss plastic pollution. The children talked about their (1) Emotions related to plastic pollution, (2) Attitudes related to plastic, and (3) Perceptions of plastic pollution. These themes were further subdivided into different types of emotions, characteristics of plastic as a material as well as perceptions on different locations of unnecessary plastic. Psychologically, the mechanisms underlying the identified themes were linked to eco-anxiety, denial, self-efficacy, and cognitive dissonance. We conclude that disruptive eco-visualization can create an emotional response amongst children, which can be transformed into co-creation of ideas.

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Appraisal patterns as predictors of emotional expressions and shares on political social networking sites

Studies in Communication Sciences ◽

10.24434/j.scoms.2021.01.003 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Thomas Zerback ◽

Dominique S. Wirz

Keyword(s):

Social Networking ◽

Political Communication ◽

Social Networking Sites ◽

Emotional Reactions ◽

Appraisal Theory ◽

Emotional Expressions ◽

Automated Content Analysis ◽

And Behavior ◽

Attitudes And Behavior ◽

Citizens Attitudes

Emotions are considered important drivers of the diffusion of messages on social networking sites. Therefore, emotion-eliciting political communication yields the potential to reach broad audiences and to influence citizens’ attitudes and behavior. In this study, we investigate message characteristics that potentially trigger emotional reactions on part of the users of political social networking pages and test if this fosters the diffusion of political content in the network. Based on appraisal theory, we employ a manual coding scheme to identify appraisal dimensions in political parties’ Facebook posts that should trigger sadness or anger. We subsequently combine the manual codings with information of the users’ reactions to the respective posts, which we gathered using an automated content analysis. More specifically, we determine (1) if posts that include sadness or anger appraisals are associated with the corresponding emotional reactions in the form of emojis and (2) if these posts are shared more often.

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The Dynamics of Ethnic Conflict in Southern Province Thailand

Nation State: Journal of International Studies ◽

10.24076/nsjis.2019v2i2.167 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 210-221

Author(s):

Andi Firmansah

Keyword(s):

Ethnic Conflict ◽

Emotional Reactions ◽

Southern Province ◽

Southern Thailand ◽

History Of ◽

Thai Government ◽

Local Residents ◽

The Government ◽

And Behavior ◽

Attitudes And Behavior

This paper explains how the ethnic conflict process that occurred in the Southern Province of Thailand to the process of resolving conflicts between the Government of Thailand and local residents in the Southern Province of Thailand. The conflict is based on the history of the Southern Thailand region between the Thai Government and the Malay Muslim population. Then, it caused conflicting attitudes and behaviors in responding to this conflict from each of the warring parties. This paper uses the concept of the conflict triangle from Johan Galtung where this conflict comes from perceptions based on historical differences, then followed by differences in conflicting behavior from each party and differences in interests. Then, using the concept of the source of conflict from Bernard Meyer, the source of the conflict that comes from historical differences so that it affects how to communicate, emotional reactions, values ??and structures owned. Then, using the concept of the stage of conflict resolution from Johan Galtung, this conflict is at the peacekeeping level where Malaysia is the mediator between the two warring parties. In resolving conflicts, both parties need to change attitudes and behavior in transforming different interests.

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Using Binding Communication to Promote Conservation Among Hotel Guests

Swiss Journal of Psychology ◽

10.1024/1421-0185/a000160 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 74 (3) ◽

pp. 169-175 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Lohyd Terrier ◽

Benedicte Marfaing

Keyword(s):

Low Cost ◽

Communication Strategies ◽

Communication Strategy ◽

Communication Model ◽

Classical Communication ◽

Persuasive Message ◽

Sustainable Behavior ◽

And Behavior ◽

Attitudes And Behavior

This research applies the binding communication model to the sustainable communication strategies implemented in most hotels. The binding communication model links a persuasive message with the implementation of a low-cost commitment to strengthen the link between the attitudes and behavior of those receiving the message. We compared the effectiveness of a classical communication strategy (n = 86) with that of a binding communication strategy (n = 101) to encourage guests to choose sustainable behavior. Our results show that using the binding communication strategy generates significantly more sustainable behavior in guests than using the classical communication strategy. We discuss our results and suggest future avenues of research.

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Risk Attitudes and Behavior Among Norwegian Adolescents

European Psychologist ◽

10.1027/1016-9040.10.1.25 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 25-38 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Hilde Iversen ◽

Torbjørn Rundmo ◽

Hroar Klempe

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Traffic Safety ◽

Behavior Modification ◽

Health Programs ◽

Risk Attitudes ◽

Community Based ◽

Public Health Programs ◽

The Core ◽

And Behavior ◽

Attitudes And Behavior

Abstract. The core aim of the present study is to compare the effects of a safety campaign and a behavior modification program on traffic safety. As is the case in community-based health promotion, the present study's approach of the attitude campaign was based on active participation of the group of recipients. One of the reasons why many attitude campaigns conducted previously have failed may be that they have been society-based public health programs. Both the interventions were carried out simultaneously among students aged 18-19 years in two Norwegian high schools (n = 342). At the first high school the intervention was behavior modification, at the second school a community-based attitude campaign was carried out. Baseline and posttest data on attitudes toward traffic safety and self-reported risk behavior were collected. The results showed that there was a significant total effect of the interventions although the effect depended on the type of intervention. There were significant differences in attitude and behavior only in the sample where the attitude campaign was carried out and no significant changes were found in the group of recipients of behavior modification.

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If I Had Something to Add, I Would

Journal of Personnel Psychology ◽

10.1027/1866-5888/a000255 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 86-96

Author(s):

Isaac A. Lindquist ◽

Emily E. Adams ◽

Joseph A. Allen

Keyword(s):

Job Attitudes ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Meeting Effectiveness ◽

And Behavior ◽

Attitudes And Behavior

Abstract. Most employees participate in workplace meetings, and their experiences in meetings can vary greatly, which can lead to positive or negative effects on both job attitudes and behavior. In this study, we examined the effect that a meeting attendee’s competence in the meeting topic had on their participation in the meeting and their perception of meeting effectiveness. Results indicated those with higher levels of competence in the meeting topic were more likely to participate and through participation found their meeting more effective; this relationship was stronger when employee dissent in the meetings was high. Leaders should ensure that those who are present in a meeting are competent in the topic of the meeting and encourage them to participate.

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