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Connecting People with Science: A Proof-of-Concept Study to Evaluate Action-Based Storytelling for Science Communication

Author

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  • Maddison Smith

    (Department of Marketing, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand)

  • Wiebke Finkler

    (Department of Marketing, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand)

  • Robert Aitken

    (Department of Marketing, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand)

Abstract

Many of the major environmental problems facing society remain intractable because members of the public neither perceive the relevance to them nor how their individual actions might help the situation. Post-consumer textile waste is one such disregarded problem, whereby disposal of waste from the fashion industry, especially the discarding of functional but out-of-fashion garments, releases significant greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Here, we used action-based storytelling as proof-of-concept of an innovative way to promote agency for climate action by showcasing pro-environmental behaviour through social modelling within stories. We evaluated the effectiveness of action-based storytelling in evoking agency, self-efficacy, and intention to increase second-hand clothing consumption. This research sought to identify if the choices faced by the story’s hero impacted these variables. The research is innovative in its use of a mixed-methods research methodology and community-based social marketing approach. Two focus groups identified consumer barriers to, and motivations for, second-hand clothing consumption in order to inform the development of three action-based storytelling videos (each with a different hero character: (i) a scientist, (ii) an influencer and (iii) students). A quasi-experimental survey evaluated how action-based storytelling and the different story heroes impacted participants’ levels of agency, self-efficacy, and intention. Results showed that participants’ levels of agency, self-efficacy, and intention significantly increased after watching the videos. Furthermore, the influencer hero was found to have the greatest effect on these variables. This research concludes that action-based storytelling can be an effective communication approach which demonstrates promising results in evoking agency and self-efficacy and increasing the likelihood that consumers will adopt pro-environmental behaviours.

Suggested Citation

  • Maddison Smith & Wiebke Finkler & Robert Aitken, 2023. "Connecting People with Science: A Proof-of-Concept Study to Evaluate Action-Based Storytelling for Science Communication," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-20, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:15:p:11655-:d:1204779
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Katelyn Sorensen & Jennifer Johnson Jorgensen, 2019. "Millennial Perceptions of Fast Fashion and Second-Hand Clothing: An Exploration of Clothing Preferences Using Q Methodology," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-13, August.
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    6. Kathryn L. Doherty & Thomas N. Webler, 2016. "Social norms and efficacy beliefs drive the Alarmed segment’s public-sphere climate actions," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 6(9), pages 879-884, September.
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    1. Lennart Stein & Amelie Michalke & Tobias Gaugler & Susanne Stoll-Kleemann, 2024. "Sustainability Science Communication: Case Study of a True Cost Campaign in Germany," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-19, May.

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