If Others Care, I Will Fight Climate Change: An Examination of Media Effects in Addressing the Public Goods Dilemma of Climate Change Mitigation

Authors

  • Xiaodong Yang Shandong University
  • Ran Wei The Chinese University of Hong Kong
  • Shirley S. Ho Nanyang Technological University

Keywords:

public goods dilemma, influence of presumed media influence, climate change mitigation

Abstract

In line with social psychology research on pro-environmental behavior (PEB) and ecological economics research on the provision of public goods, this study applied an interdisciplinary approach to understand media effects in addressing the public goods dilemma of climate change mitigation. By integrating the influence of presumed media influence (IPMI) model and the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study examined how perceived effects of environmental messages on others affect an individual’s own reasoning for personal action in public goods provision. Findings from data collected from a national survey in Singapore demonstrated that respondents estimated others’ attention to media messages about climate change based on their attention. The perception of others’ media attention led them to project media influence on others. Furthermore, the more people believed that others were influenced by the message, the more likely they were to engage in PEB. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Author Biographies

Xiaodong Yang, Shandong University

Dr. Xiaodong Yang (PhD, Nanyang Technological University, 2017) is an Associate Professor in School of Journalism and Communication at Shandong University, China. Her research focuses on environmental, health communication and science communication. Her prior works have been published in International Journal of Communication, Science Communication, and Public Understanding of Science.

Ran Wei, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Dr. Ran Wei is a Professor in School of Journalism and Communication at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. His research focuses on new media and media effects. His prior works have been published in Communication Research, New Media & Society, and Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly.

Shirley S. Ho, Nanyang Technological University

Dr. Shirley S. Ho (PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2008) is a Professor in the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information at Nanyang Technological University. Her research focuses on public opinion toward science, environmental, and health issues. Her work has appeared in Communication Research, Science Communication, and New Media & Society.

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Published

2021-07-14

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Articles