A Field Experiment in Communicating a New Risk: Effects of the Source and a Message Containing Explicit Conclusions
Gutteling, J. M. (1993). A field experiment in communicating a new risk: Effects of the source and a message containing explicit conclusions. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 14, 3, 295-316.
383 inhabitants of Dutch cities received a brochure containing information about the risks and benefits of a new hazardous technology. The control group consisted of 125 Ss who did not receive a brochure. The source and explicitness of conclusions varied in a 2 * 2 posttest-only design. Results show that the information influenced Ss' knowledge of the technology, their assessment of the benefits, and their attitude toward the technology. No effects were found for assessment of the risks, feelings of insecurity, perceived threat, or intentions to adopt protest behavior. The explicit conclusions led Ss to judge the benefits of the technology as being greater.
