Health Communication| Operational and Conceptual Trends in Narrative Persuasion Research: Comparing Health- and Non-Health-Related Contexts

Authors

  • Michael Dahlstrom Iowa State University
  • Jeff Niederdeppe Cornell University
  • Lijing Gao Iowa State University
  • Xiaowen Zhu Iowa State University

Keywords:

narrative, persuasion, health communication, content analysis, experiments

Abstract

Interest in narrative persuasion has grown markedly since the turn of the 21st century, yet the concept of narrative at the center of this scholarly work remains a diffusely bounded construct. This study offers a moment of empirical reflection through a content analysis of peer-reviewed articles examining narrative persuasion in health- and non-health-related contexts to better define the conceptualizations and operationalizations of narrative that have been used to shape the direction and theorizing of narrative persuasion. We identify trends and potential biases in the literature, compare these patterns in studies focused on health-related topics and those targeting other issues, and suggest a variety of conceptualizations and possible relationships that may deserve more attention as this area of inquiry progresses.

Author Biographies

Michael Dahlstrom, Iowa State University

Associate Director, Associate Professor                           Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication                 101B Hamilton Hall                                                             Iowa State University                                                             Ames, IA, 50011                                                                   Phone: 515-294-3822                                                                         

Jeff Niederdeppe, Cornell University

Associate ProfessorDepartment of Communication476 Mann Library BuildingCornell University                                                                   Ithaca, NY, 14853Phone: (607) 255-9706 

Lijing Gao, Iowa State University

Ph.D. StudentDepartment of Sociology                                                         Iowa State University                                                             Ames, IA, 50011       

Xiaowen Zhu, Iowa State University

M.S. GraduateGreenlee School of Journalism and Communicarion                   Iowa State University                                                             Ames, IA, 50011   

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Published

2017-11-20

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Section

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