Information sufficiency and attribution of responsibility: predicting support for climate change policy and pro-environmental behavior |
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| Authors: | Z. Janet Yang Mihye Seo Laura N. Rickard Teresa M. Harrison |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Communication, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USAzyang5@buffalo.edu;3. Department of Communication, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA;4. Department of Environmental Studies, State University of New York College of Environmental Science &5. Forestry, Syracuse, NY, USA |
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| Abstract: | This study extends the central part of the risk information seeking and processing model to examine how message elaboration influences individuals’ support for climate change mitigation policy and their intention to engage in pro-environmental behavior. Data were collected through online experimental surveys at two large universities in the Northeastern United States. Results indicate that perceived issue salience triggered negative affect and information insufficiency, both of which prompted systematic processing, which subsequently led to greater policy support and stronger intention to adopt more pro-environmental behaviors. From an applied perspective, this study suggests important pathways to encourage greater message elaboration, which may lead to increased public support for mitigation policies and adoption of pro-environmental behavior. |
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| Keywords: | information processing climate change policy support pro-environmental behavior |
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