Mental models under ideological constraints: The psychological signatures underscoring audience segments of climate change

Matthew Andreotta

doi:10.26182/2jsy-8n04

Mental models under ideological constraints: The psychological signatures underscoring audience segments of climate change

Matthew Andreotta

School of Psychological Science

Research output: Thesis › Doctoral Thesis

187 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Effective communication of climate science and policy requires an understanding of audience views, motivations, and ideologies. This thesis aimed to identify audience segments within the Australian public, each with unique climate change views. The first study used a mixed-methods approach to identify climate change concepts prevalent in social media discourse. The second study divided Australian participants into three segments—Acceptors, Fencesitters, and Sceptics. Each segment was associated with a unique signature of psychological characteristics and climate change belief-updating tendencies. Overall, my results suggest science communication will be most effective when tailored to segment informational needs and psychological attributes.

Original language	English
Qualification	Doctor of Philosophy
Awarding Institution	The University of Western Australia
Supervisors/Advisors	Farrell, Simon, Supervisor Hurlstone, Mark, Supervisor Boschetti, Fabio, Supervisor Paris, Cécile, Supervisor, External person Walker, Iain, Supervisor
Thesis sponsors	Australian Government Research Training Program
Award date	11 Oct 2021
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.26182/2jsy-8n04
Publication status	Unpublished - 2021

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.26182/2jsy-8n04

THESIS - DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY - ANDREOTTA, Matthew - 2021
This work is protected by Copyright. You may print or download ONE copy of this document for the purpose of your own non-commercial research or study. Any other use requires permission from the copyright owner. The Copyright Act requires you to attribute any copyright works you quote or paraphrase.

Cite this

@phdthesis{39b5e16bb83848699e3da498045850c6,

title = "Mental models under ideological constraints: The psychological signatures underscoring audience segments of climate change",

abstract = "Effective communication of climate science and policy requires an understanding of audience views, motivations, and ideologies. This thesis aimed to identify audience segments within the Australian public, each with unique climate change views. The first study used a mixed-methods approach to identify climate change concepts prevalent in social media discourse. The second study divided Australian participants into three segments—Acceptors, Fencesitters, and Sceptics. Each segment was associated with a unique signature of psychological characteristics and climate change belief-updating tendencies. Overall, my results suggest science communication will be most effective when tailored to segment informational needs and psychological attributes. ",

keywords = "Climate Change, Ideology, Science Communication, Value, Audience Segmentation, Worldview, Mental Model",

author = "Matthew Andreotta",

year = "2021",

doi = "10.26182/2jsy-8n04",

language = "English",

school = "The University of Western Australia",

}

TY - BOOK

T1 - Mental models under ideological constraints: The psychological signatures underscoring audience segments of climate change

AU - Andreotta, Matthew

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - Effective communication of climate science and policy requires an understanding of audience views, motivations, and ideologies. This thesis aimed to identify audience segments within the Australian public, each with unique climate change views. The first study used a mixed-methods approach to identify climate change concepts prevalent in social media discourse. The second study divided Australian participants into three segments—Acceptors, Fencesitters, and Sceptics. Each segment was associated with a unique signature of psychological characteristics and climate change belief-updating tendencies. Overall, my results suggest science communication will be most effective when tailored to segment informational needs and psychological attributes.

AB - Effective communication of climate science and policy requires an understanding of audience views, motivations, and ideologies. This thesis aimed to identify audience segments within the Australian public, each with unique climate change views. The first study used a mixed-methods approach to identify climate change concepts prevalent in social media discourse. The second study divided Australian participants into three segments—Acceptors, Fencesitters, and Sceptics. Each segment was associated with a unique signature of psychological characteristics and climate change belief-updating tendencies. Overall, my results suggest science communication will be most effective when tailored to segment informational needs and psychological attributes.

KW - Climate Change

KW - Ideology

KW - Science Communication

KW - Value

KW - Audience Segmentation

KW - Worldview

KW - Mental Model

U2 - 10.26182/2jsy-8n04

DO - 10.26182/2jsy-8n04

M3 - Doctoral Thesis

ER -

Mental models under ideological constraints: The psychological signatures underscoring audience segments of climate change

Abstract

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Cite this