Countering Narrative Misinformation: Investigating the Effects of Narrative Corrections and Character Trust on Story-Related Knowledge of HPV.

Guided by the entertainment overcoming resistance model (EORM), participants (N = 334) were exposed to narrative correction strategies designed to reduce reliance on a character that portrayed misinformation about HPV within a narrative. In a 2 × 2 experiment, participants were randomly assigned to either read a warning about an untrustworthy character or a description of the show and to view a post-show video where hosts discussed the motives and actions of that character or a control clip. Both narrative correction strategies reduced individuals' trust of the protagonist and, in turn, increased the number of correct answers on an HPV knowledge test. Identification moderated the indirect relationship between exposure to the post-show discussion and HPV knowledge. For those who reported greater identification with the protagonist, the post-show discussion reduced character trust whereas those who reported low identification were not impacted by this narrative correction strategy. The effect of the pre-show warning did not depend on level of identification. The results build on previous studies concerning narrative correction strategies as well as extend the EORM to narrative correction outcomes.

Effects of Exposure to an Entertainment-Based Genetic Testing Narrative on Genetic Testing Knowledge, Attitudes and Counseling Discussion Intentions.

This study explores the effects of exposure to a reality television narrative depicting genetic testing on attitudes and intentions, looking particularly at the effects of narratives containing elements of misinformation on genetics-related knowledge accuracy. In an experiment, participants completed a baseline survey, viewed a high versus low-accuracy narrative, then completed a follow-up survey. Exposure to a low-accuracy narrative was associated with lower knowledge accuracy. Indirect effects of identification and transportation on intentions to talk to a doctor about genetic testing also were detected via attitudes and reduced message counterarguing. Results illustrate the negative implications of inaccurate narratives on knowledge, which is concerning given the public's low level of genetic literacy, as well as the critical role narrative engagement may play in shaping public attitudes and intentions regarding genetic testing.

Transportation into an Entertainment Narrative about the MMR Vaccine: An Investigation of Self-Referencing and Issue-Related Thoughts in Narrative Persuasion.

The current study considers how an entertainment narrative about childhood vaccination influences related attitudes. We consider the role of counterarguing in narrative persuasion by integrating extant research and theory to test cognitive mechanisms of narrative persuasion, namely self-referencing and positive issue-related thoughts. Results of this experiment show that exposure to a television narrative depicting the importance of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine led to more favorable attitudes toward childhood vaccination as compared to a control group. As expected by narrative persuasion theorizing, transportation into the narrative predicted vaccine attitudes. In contrast to typical theorizing and some empirical results, counterarguing did not mediate that relationship, however, self-referencing and positive issue-related thinking did. Theoretical contributions and suggestions for future research expanding our understanding of issue-related thoughts are discussed.

Can Altruistic Emotions Promote Vaccine Advocacy? Examining the Use of Empathy and Elevation in Vaccine Messages.

This study examines the effectiveness of evoking other-oriented emotions in vaccine messages to promote vaccine advocacy behaviors. A between-subject experiment with a parent sample was conducted, in which portrayals of a victim exemplar (someone who is suffering from the consequence of vaccine hesitancy) and a moral exemplar (someone who is selflessly helping others) were varied. Results showed that the victim exemplar led to greater empathy, and the moral exemplar led to greater elevation, both of which predicted vaccine advocacy responses. Implications of the findings and future directions were discussed.

Talking about TV: Mother-Daughter Viewing and Discussion of an Entertainment Narrative about Teen Pregnancy.

Narratives can bring about related discussions, which can influence narrative comprehension and future conversations - though little is known about how these processes interact. This study considers the interplay of exposure to a teen pregnancy narrative and subsequent mother-daughter discussion in an experiment with mothers and their teenage daughters. Participants watched a teen pregnancy narrative or a control narrative. After watching, they either participated in a mother-daughter discussion of sexual health or completed a distractor activity. The teen pregnancy narrative led to greater endorsement of teen pregnancy myths on the part of daughters - particularly when identifying with the pregnant teen character - but maternal discussion mitigated their effects on overall attitudes toward pregnancy prevention. Moreover, participants who viewed the teen pregnancy narrative were more satisfied with their discussions afterwards than were those who discussed sexual health without first watching the teen pregnancy narrative. This conversational satisfaction, in turn, led to more frequent mother-daughter conversations about sexuality in the following weeks.

The Role of Humor in Messaging about the MMR Vaccine.

Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases have increased due, in part, to misconceptions about vaccine safety (Kennedy et al., 2011). Extant literature has examined various messages designed to correct false beliefs about vaccination risks and to urge parents to vaccinate their children. The present study is designed to contribute to this literature by drawing on the broader research and theory on resistance to persuasion and correcting false beliefs. We examine the effects of a humorous (vs. non-humorous) message about the importance of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine on parents' vaccine hesitancy. Results revealed that compared to a more serious message, a satirical message reduced reactance and led to greater perceptions of measles severity, which reduced vaccine hesitancy. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.

Entertainment-education in the context of humor: effects on safer sex intentions and risk perceptions.

Past research has examined the effects of entertainment narratives on story-related behaviors, but most has focused primarily on dramatic genres rather than comedy. The present study examines how the presence or absence of pregnancy-related humor influences viewers' counterarguing, perceived severity, and intentions to engage in unprotected sexual behavior. Results were consistent with expectations in that related humor reduced counterarguing while also trivializing the severity of the consequences of sexual behavior. When the pregnancy storyline was presented in its original humorous context, viewers reported greater intentions to engage in unprotected sex than when pregnancy was presented in a more serious tone. Model testing clarified this finding by revealing the underlying mechanisms. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.

Comparing the effects of entertainment and educational television programming on risky sexual behavior.

Entertainment-education (E-E) may offer an effective way to reduce risky behavior by modeling healthy behaviors. Although there is some empirical evidence to support the effectiveness of the E-E strategy, much of this research has been conducted in countries with different media landscapes than that of the United States and controlled experiments in this context are rare. Moreover, empirical tests of the relative effectiveness of E-E messages and other message formats are needed. In this study, 437 undergraduates participated in a three-wave panel experiment in which they viewed one of three programs (E-E, education, or entertainment). Safer sex intentions and behaviors were measured several days before, immediately following, and 2 weeks after exposure. Results demonstrate that effects of exposure to this E-E program vary depending on gender and past experience with sexual intercourse. In particular, females and those who had not initiated sexual intercourse showed the strongest effects. Discussion of theoretical implications and suggestions for future research are provided.