Was it possible to change peoples minds about ANWR by providing “factual” information?
Unfortunately, no. The pre-existing attitudes research participants had before being exposed to the treatment in the experiment were similar at post-test, if not even strengthened with the information that was provided in the study questionnare. Participants who were pro-drilling prior to the study found information to support their point of view, and vice-versa. In other words, those people who were respectively for and against drilling for oil believed that their opinions were bolstered by the two sets of opposing arguments presented in the questionnaires they completed. The researchers suggest that this result is somewhat discouraging for communicators, as it shows that typical, “educational” communication strategies will not be effective when we want to sway peoples’ pre-existing attitudes toward a desired way of seeing an environmental issue. Instead, the researchers from Colorado State recommend that more persuasive and shrewd strategies will be needed to change peoples’ perspect
Related Questions
- How will you ensure NC State is providing the best service possible to promote the academic success of students when advisors are already over-committed on the number of students they are assigned?
- Are New Advances in the Struggles for the Emancipation of the Peoples Possible?
- Is survival after death possible as disembodied souls or minds?
