Narrative impact: How stories change minds

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Exploring the Effects of Non-traditional Narrative Video Ads on Tourism Intentions Among Viewers with and without Previous Destination Experience.

Tourism is a storying and narrative experience that weaves multiple accounts about travel destinations, sites, and people into consumer expectations and perceptions of what is authentic in a travel experience (Chronis 2012a, Moscardo 2010, Bruner 2005). Story-telling narratives use the natural link of human experience often shared with others (Zhong et al. 2017, Mossberg 2008, McCabe and Foster 2006) and have become a helpful communication tool for understanding and promoting tourism (Zhong, Yun, Busser, and Baloglu 2017). Story-telling narration provides a valuable framework in which the destination is portrayed as believable and authentic to potential tourists (Kim and Yuon 2017). Our research has two main objectives: 1.) to explore the influence of narrative video advertisements on perceptions of authenticity, and 2.) to determine the role of individual differences and their effects on perceptions of authenticity. Our study\u27s two ads were specifically designed to feature attributes not commonly part of the City\u27s authentic historical appeal. As such, the focus of the ads could be perceived as less authentic by the viewer. We examine the role of narrative story-telling in shaping positive perceptions of authenticity for advertisements that explore non-traditional tourism appeals. We further explore how the viewer\u27s prior visits to the Cityinfluence perceptions of authenticity and subsequent ad effectiveness. The promotion of non-historic features was designed to influence repeat visits with something new to experience and potential visitors who might be more interested in non-historic experiences. Previous visitors might not be open to stories related to activities that were not necessarily related to their previous visits and find the ad less authentic but still respond to new experiences\u27 potential

The Influence Of Personal Narrative Information On Attitudes Towards Syringe Exchange Programs

With the current opioid epidemic in the United States, cities across the United States are increasingly considering Syringe Exchange Programs (SEPs). SEPs allow people to anonymously dispose of used syringes and acquire new, sterile syringes, and have been shown to reduce the incidence of HIV and other diseases. Despite the effectiveness, these programs are often met with resistance. The present project compares two possible methods for changing attitudes about SEP’s: providing statistical information about a program’s effectiveness (e.g., 20% reduction) and providing personal narrative information (e.g., a description of an individual’s experiences) about how a program helped a specific individual. In our study all participants received basic information about SEPs followed by either statistical information, narrative information, or a combination of the two, and then we assessed participants’ attitudes towards using government money to fund a local SEP. Overall, people’s attitudes became more supportive after reading the information. However, the amount of improvement was similar across all three conditions

Heidegger on creativity: From boredom to re-engagement with the world

Experimental psychologists have discussed whether boredom can help us become more creative. At first blush, this would seem to be rather unlikely. When we are bored, we are disengaged; we cannot be bothered and nothing seems worthwhile; we have no interest in the world around us. Such a condition, surely, is not conducive to creativity (Haager et al. 2018). Yet some psychologists disagree (Gasper and Middlewood 2014). Boredom, they explain, breaks down entrenched routines and thought-patterns and provides us with an opportunity to think again and anew. Respondents in “approach-oriented states” such as boredom engage in more “associative thought” than those in “avoidance-oriented affective states.” This is how boredom comes to encourage “the quest for meaning and exploration” (Gasper and Middlewood 2014, pp. 53–55...2-s2.0-8508440789

Sweet Temptations:How Does Reading a Fotonovela About Diabetes Affect Dutch Adults with Different Levels of Literacy?

Recent studies suggest that health-related fotonovelas-booklets that portray a dramatic story using photographs and captions-may be effective health communication tools, especially for readers with a low level of literacy. In this experiment, effects on knowledge and behavioral intentions were assessed of a fotonovela originally developed for a Latin-American audience. Dutch readers from a low literacy group (N = 89) and a high literacy group (N = 113) were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: a fotonovela condition (all captions translated into Dutch), a traditional brochure condition (also in Dutch), and a control condition. On knowledge about diabetes, participants in the fotonovela condition outperformed participants in both other conditions. This finding was consistent across literacy levels. On behavioral intentions, however, readers of the fotonovela did not score significantly higher than participants in the other conditions. We also evaluated hypotheses proposed in the Entertainment Overcoming Resistance Model (EORM; Moyer-Guse, 2008) on the possible mechanisms underlying persuasion through narratives. No support was found for the mechanisms proposed in the EORM. The outcomes of this study suggest that a fotonovela may be a valuable health education format for adults with varying levels of literacy, even if it was developed for a target group with a different cultural background.</p

The story against smoking:An exploratory study into the processing and perceived effectiveness of narrative visual smoking warnings

Objectives: This study compared the effects of two types of health warnings on cigarette packages: 'narrative visual warnings', showing an image portraying people plus a corresponding slogan that could evoke a story-like interpretation, and 'non-narrative visual warnings' with non-narrative content (i.e. body parts). Moreover, the mechanisms underlying the effects of these health warnings were explored. Design: A within-participants experiment was conducted comparing narrative and non-narrative visual warnings. Path analyses were performed to investigate the relationship between the narrative concepts transportation and identification, the emotions evoked by the health warning and the perceived effectiveness of the message. Method: Participants (N = 200) were presented with one narrative warning and one non-narrative warning. After each warning, they answered questions on narrative perception, transportation, identification, emotions and perceived effectiveness. Results: The narrative warnings were seen as more story-like than the non-narrative warnings. There was a statistical trend for narrative warnings to be perceived as more effective than the non-narratives. The narrative warnings caused more transportation, fear, sadness, compassion and anger; the non-narrative warnings evoked more disgust and surprise. For the narrative warnings, both narrative concepts of transportation and identification were directly related to perceived effectiveness, and also indirectly via sadness. For the non-narrative warnings, transportation was related to perceived effectiveness, both directly and indirectly via disgust. Conclusion: Seeing a story in a still picture with a slogan helps to increase the effectiveness of the antismoking message. Both narrative and non-narrative visual warnings may persuade receivers directly, but also by the evoking of emotions, although the specific emotions responsible for the persuasive effects may differ

The Ability of Narrative Communication to Address Health-Related Social Norms

Social norms are an important predictor of health behavior and have been targeted by a variety of health communication campaigns. However, these campaigns often encounter challenges related to the socially specific context in which norms exist: specifically, the extent to which the target population identifies with the specific reference group depicted and the extent to which the target population believes the campaign’s message. We argue that because of its capacity to effect identification among viewers, narrative communication is particularly appropriate for impacting social norms and, consequently, behavioral intention. This manuscript presents the results of a randomized trial testing the effectiveness of two films – one narrative, one non-narrative – in changing perceived social norms and behavioral intention regarding Pap testing to detect cervical cancer. Results of the study indicate that the narrative film was in fact more effective at producing positive changes in perceived norms and intention

Narrative Persuasion: Moderating effects of character identification on relationship between message format and intention to screen for cervical cancer among women in agricultural sector in Kiambu County, Kenya.

There is evidence that use of narrative messages is effective in the context of health behavior change. There is however no explanation as to what aspect of narrative leads to high level of persuasion. We evaluated the moderating effects of character identification on the three elements of narrative message (narrative message frame, narrative rationality and narrator’s perspective) in regard to the uptake of cervical cancer screening among women in the agricultural sector in Kiambu county, Kenya. A randomised experimental design was used. Narrative Message frame (gain frame vs. loss frame), narrative perspective (first vs third person), and narrative rationality, were manipulated. The messages were presented via a brief narrative video on cervical cancer and cervical screening. A uniform pretest questionnaire on cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening (T1) was completed by respondents before watching a narrative video. After watching a narrative video on cervical cancer screening, participants responded to the post test questionnaire (T2). Data from 378 (100 per cent) respondents for the pretest and 344 (91 per cent) for posttest was analysed and included in the study findings for the baseline and posttest respectively. Multiple hierarchical regression analysis was used. The study found that the majority of respondents were aged above 41 years of age at 32 per cent majority 249 (65.9 per cent) of the respondents were married, and majority 210 (55 per cent) of the respondents had 1 to 3 children followed by 4 to 5 at 91 (24 per cent). After running multiple hierarchical regression analysis, the study found that identification with story character moderated for all the independent variables. The study concluded that while using narrative messages to promote health behaviour, use of story characters which the target audience can identify with, may help in increasing adoption of advocated health behaviour

The emotional structure of the advertising message in radio

La publicidad radiofónica sufre una evidente crisis de creatividad al no haber encontrado su acomodo en un modelo de radio basado en la locución y el género informativo. Este artículo plantea la necesidad de utilizar la ruta periférica o heurística para captar y mantener la atención del receptor. En este marco, se propone la narrativa y la escenificación dramática como técnica persuasiva eficaz. El objetivo es diseñar una herramienta conceptual que pueda ser útil para idear una narración sonora al servicio de una determinada estrategia comercial. En primer lugar, se hace una revisión del poder persuasivo de la narración según las posibilidades del código sonoro. En segundo lugar, se desarrollan las claves escénicas y publicitarias (marca, producto, ventaja, beneficio y target) del mensaje sonoro. Y en tercer lugar, estas claves se incorporan en un modelo cuyo funcionamiento es pretestado mediante ocho casos de diferentes cuñas.Radio advertising is suffering from a remarkable crisis of creativity as it has yet not found its role in a radio model based on voice locution and information genres. This article suggests the need for implementing a peripheral or heuristic strategy to attract and hold listeners’ attention. Within this framework, the narration and scene representation are proposed as suitable persuasion techniques. The objective is to design a useful conceptual tool for an efficient creative conception of narration at the service of certain commercial strategy. First, the concept of narrative persuasion is grounded according to the possibilities of the sound code. Second, the keys of scene representation and commercial strategy (brand, product, advantage, benefit and target) within the sound message are presented. And third, these keys are articulated in a model. This model is pre-tested by means of analyzing eight different case-radio ads

Using narrative messages to improve parents' experience of learning that a child has overweight

BackgroundProviding feedback to parents that their child is overweight often elicits negative reactance. AimsTo investigate the acceptability and feasibility of providing theoretically-informed narrative messages to reduce negative reactance, alongside National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) feedback informing parents when their child is overweight. MethodsA mixed-methods design: interviews with parents of primary school-aged children explored responses to the narratives; a randomised trial examined the feasibility, acceptability and promise of enclosing narratives with NCMP feedback.FindingsInterview participants found the narratives acceptable and indicated they could help lessen negative reactance. Pilot study data suggested 65% of parents could identify with the characters, with evidence of elaboration (applying the story to one’s own situation) evident in 65% of those reading the accounts. ConclusionAlthough the findings are limited by the low response rates typical in this population, narrative messages were acceptable to parents, feasible to deliver and show promise. <br/