Effects of abstract and concrete antinuclear filmed presentations on participation in a petition campaign

Thesis/Dissertation · Sat Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:6817570

Gellis, J

The goal was to examine the effects of abstract and concrete anti-nuclear images and previous political activity on interest in the topic of nuclear war and participation in an anti-nuclear petition campaign. Subjects were 254 undergraduate students at Hofstra University in three political science classes, three psychology classes and three communication classes: 128 males and 126 females. They were assigned by class to one of three image conditions: concrete, abstract, or no image. After completing a questionnaire measuring their previous level of political activity, students in the concrete condition saw The Last Epidemic, a 30-minute video depicting the aftermath of a nuclear explosion. Subjects in the abstract condition saw Preventing Nuclear War-First Step, a 30 minute video conveying factual information about missile systems and the arms race. Subjects in the no-image condition were not exposed to a video and served as controls. They were asked to respond to a short questionnaire that elicited emotional and intellectual reactions to the topic of nuclear war. After viewing the video tape, subjects in the abstract and concrete conditions responded to a brief questionnaire that elicited emotional and intellectual reactions to the videos. Subjects in all three conditions were asked to provide their names addresses if they were interested in receiving more information on this topic. Subjects who provided their name and addresses were mailed, within 24-hours, a one page petition advocating an anti-nuclear position. Recipients were asked to sign the petition, gather as many signature as possible, and return the petition. Participation was measured by the number of signatures gathered. Data were analyzed by analyzes of variance. The type of image had no effect on either interest or participation in the petition campaign. A modest positive relationship was found between previous political activity and interest.

• Research Organization: Hofstra Coll., Hempstead, NY (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6817570
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
FUNCTIONS
INFORMATION DISSEMINATION
INFORMATION THEORY
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
MAGNETIC STORAGE DEVICES
MAGNETIC TAPES
MEMORY DEVICES
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
POLITICAL ASPECTS
PUBLIC OPINION
RESPONSE FUNCTIONS
SURVEYS
VIDEO TAPES
WARFARE
WEAPONS