The appraisal tendency framework (ATF) suggests that discrete emotions mediate the relationship between cognitive appraisals and behaviors. Based on ATF, this study analyzed found fear, anger, anxiety, disgust, sadness were positively related to US public's risk perception about Ebola outbreak. Fear was also inhibit degree which systematic processing of relevant information influenced participants' support for institutional mitigation measures such as sending more health professionals help...

Anchored by construal level theory and appraisal theories of emotion, this study examines whether discrete emotions vary along with perceived psychological distance climate change impacts. We found that reduced perception led to an increase in concrete such as anger, fear, sadness, guilt. In contrast, increased hope—an abstract emotion. Compared anxiety, hope, guilt, shame had more limited impact on mitigation action policy support. Trait empathy moderated the effect manipulation emotions.

Construal-level theory suggests that high-level abstract features weigh more in people's decision-making at farther distance, while low-level concrete closer distance. Based on this, we propose psychological distance will influence the effect of risk versus efficacy framing climate change engagement. In particular, perception related to end-state expectancy mitigation should engagement contrast, perceived feasibility attaining goals Results from an experimental survey based a national sample...

Character morality is an integral variable within disposition theories. Zillmann proposed that moral judgments of characters result from a viewer monitoring and approving/disapproving character’s behaviors. Raney schema-based theoretical expansion this model, wherein formation—facilitated by the activation character-schema (e.g., hero/villain)—might occur prior to observation behavior. Three experimental studies were conducted test Raney’s hypotheses integrate them into Zillmann’s original...

Abstract Storytelling is a human universal. The ubiquity of stories and the rapid development in Artificial Intelligence (AI) pose important questions: can AI like ChatGPT tell engaging persuasive stories? If so, what makes narrative persuasive? Three pre-registered experiments comparing human-generated narratives from existing research ChatGPT-generated versions using descriptions materials these studies show that labeling as source led to lower transportation, higher counterarguing,...

Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic impact on the Southeastern United States highlighted critical importance of disaster preparedness. This study analyzes data from FEMA’s 2023 National Household Survey to examine pre-Helene risk perception and preparedness levels among residents six states: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Tennessee, Virginia. Our aim was assess baseline gain insights that could inform future planning. The analysis revealed significant inter-state variations in...

This study examines the use of narrative persuasion in promoting human papillomavirus vaccination. Compared to non-narrative message, message increased perceived severity papillomavirus, which influenced vaccination intention through heightened fear. The also dampened hope and subsequently decreased intention. research attests effectiveness promotion, but offers important caveat for design—egocentric efficacy information is crucial designed motivate preventive health behaviors.

Analyses of disaster resilience have focused increasingly on the role social capital and online networks in recovery. This study complements this field work by investigating three key issues. First, it examines how a messaging application, WeChat, helped individuals to access mobilise types capital—bonding, bridging, linking—during Hurricane Harvey, Category 4 storm that made landfall Louisiana Texas United States August 2017, resulting significant flooding loss life. Second, pinpoints...

Storytelling is a human universal, but can Artificial Intelligence (AI) like ChatGPT tell good story? Based on three pre-registered experiments, we investigated if narratives generated by or lead to different levels of transportation, counterarguing, psychological reactance, self-referencing, and story-consistent attitudes, beliefs, behaviors. Drawing examined in existing research, crafted comparable length content using labeled them alongside human-authored as either AI-generated. Our...

This study examined the influences of perceived distance to communicator on effects aggressive style (i.e. personal attacks and intense languages) in communicating scientific issues such as COVID-19 public. With a multi-site experiment ( N = 464), we found that aggression led heightened violation expected social norm regarding communication styles. However, interpretation varied depending individual’s communicator. Close articulated urgency severity risks conveyed with aggression, which...

Applying the solution aversion model in context of COVID-19 pandemic, we examine how ideology and support for free markets influence Americans’ assessment risks mitigation policies. Results from an experiment ( N = 438) indicate that conservatives are more likely to dismiss when governmental regulations highlighted. In contrast, liberals less Emergency Use Authorization vaccines market-oriented solutions Findings this study suggest addition party elite cues, polarization public opinions on...

This study examines the influences of distance cues and individual characteristics, including trait empathy, time orientation, age, gender, on people's construal climate change. A content analysis was utilized to investigate American adults' mental change after exposure messages illustrating its impacts in close or distant locations times. Results an experiment show that far-distance led increased perception more abstract phenomenon. Further, people with lower empathy formed construals when...

This study focuses on motivators of information processing during the 2016 U.S. presidential election cycle in relation to two specific topics—the itself and issue climate change. We conducted national surveys based risk seeking model (RISP) October 2016, about a month before Election Day. Results indicate that political ideology is an important determinant people’s motivations for related both topics. These findings attest utility RISP explicating behaviors beyond environmental health issues.

Common wisdom holds that graphic media violence leads to antisocial outcomes. This common is reflected in the Society for Professional Journalists' Code of Ethics. However, theory and research regarding moral emotions' ability increase sensitivity suggests this type negative content may be capable yielding prosocial responses. article describes logic tests its predictions two experimental studies utilizing news footage a mass execution conducted by Islamic State Iraq Syria (ISIS). Results...

As an unprecedented global disease outbreak, the COVID-19 pandemic is also accompanied by infodemic. To better cope with pandemic, laypeople need to process information in ways that help guide informed judgments and decisions. Such processing likely involves reliance on various evidence types. Extending Risk Information Seeking Processing model via a two-wave survey ( N = 1284), we examined predictors consequences of US-dwelling Chinese’s four types (i.e. scientific, statistical,...

Unlike the United States, where human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines have been available for decades, China recently approved its first HPV vaccines. Setting up a baseline comparison between these two countries, this study examines influence of message framing, motivational orientation, cultural worldview, knowledge, and gender on young adults' intentions to get vaccinated. Compared U.S. participants, Chinese participants perceived as more severe risk were willing vaccine. However, they also...