Lyons Benjamin A, Hasell Ariel, Tallapragada Meghnaa, Jamieson Kathleen Hall
University of Exeter, UK.
University of Michigan, USA.
Public Underst Sci. 2019 Apr;28(3):320-338. doi: 10.1177/0963662518821017. Epub 2019 Jan 10.
A conversion narrative recounts the process that led the speaker to reject one belief for a different, usually incompatible, alternative. However, researchers know little about whether, when, and, if so, how such messages affect audience attitudes about controversial science. Using a general US population-sample experiment, we assessed the attitudinal impact of three versions of a statement by Mark Lynas, an environmental activist who converted from opposing to championing genetically modified crops. Participants were exposed to (1) a one-sided pro-genetically modified message by Lynas, (2) a two-sided pro-genetically modified message in which Lynas indicates but does not detail his conversion, or (3) a two-sided pro-genetically modified message in which Lynas explains the process that prompted his conversion. We find that his conversion messages influenced attitudes by way of perceived argument strength, but not speaker credibility. This finding implies such messages induce greater elaboration, which may lead to durable attitudes that predict behavior.
一个转变的叙述讲述了促使讲述者摒弃一种信念而选择另一种通常不相容的信念的过程。然而，研究人员对于此类信息是否、何时以及如果会产生影响的话如何影响受众对有争议科学的态度知之甚少。通过一项针对美国普通人群样本的实验，我们评估了环境活动家马克·莱纳斯（Mark Lynas）发表的三种版本声明的态度影响，他从反对转基因作物转变为支持转基因作物。参与者接触到：（1）莱纳斯单方面支持转基因的信息，（2）莱纳斯表明但未详细说明其转变的双面支持转基因的信息，或者（3）莱纳斯解释促使其转变过程的双面支持转基因的信息。我们发现，他的转变信息通过感知到的论据强度而非讲述者的可信度来影响态度。这一发现意味着此类信息会引发更多的思考，这可能导致预测行为的持久态度。
