Nature Documentaries, Connectedness to Nature, and Pro-environmental Behavior

Arendt, Florian; Matthes, Jörg

doi:10.1080/17524032.2014.993415

Cited by 120 publications

(96 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Despite the increasing professional use of documentary storytelling as a centerpiece of digital‐era advocacy efforts, peer‐reviewed literature about audience effects of viewing social‐issue documentary is limited (Karlin & Johnson, ) but expanding. Recent research demonstrates the ability of documentary storytelling to elicit feelings of empathy and support for depicted underdogs in an issue (Bruneau et al, ), as well as donations for a social‐issue cause (Arendt & Matthes, ). Further, LaMarre and Landreville () find increased levels of issue learning and concern, along with greater feelings of guilt and disgust, for viewers exposed to social‐issue documentary storytelling compared with scripted storytelling on the same topic—a level of narrative engagement attributed to documentary's ability to showcase a “real” story.…”

Section: The Challenge Of Storytelling About Global Povertymentioning

confidence: 99%

Storytelling for Social Change: Leveraging Documentary and Comedy for Public Engagement in Global Poverty

Chattoo

Feldman

2017

J Commun

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Narrative is essential for public engagement with global poverty. Stand Up Planet, a documentary about global development, was produced to evaluate the effects of a little-utilized nonfiction comedy narrative. Using a pretest-posttest experimental design, this study examines shifts in U.S. audience engagement with global poverty after watching Stand Up Planet, compared with a somber documentary, The End Game. Both documentaries increased awareness of global poverty, support for government aid, knowledge, and intended actions. However, Stand Up Planet produced significantly larger gains in awareness, knowledge, and actions; these effects were mediated by the narrative's relatability, positive emotions, and entertainment value. The End Game's effects were mediated by narrative transportation and negative emotions. Implications for narrative in social change campaigns are discussed.

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Section: The Challenge Of Storytelling About Global Povertymentioning

confidence: 99%

Storytelling for Social Change: Leveraging Documentary and Comedy for Public Engagement in Global Poverty

Chattoo

Feldman

2017

J Commun

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“…The impact of movie references to a conservation issue could be enhanced by providing additional information and highlighting relevant campaigns and organizations in the credits and associated promotional materials (Arendt & Matthes 2014), and this may provide an excellent starting point for conservationists to engage with other forms of visual media (e.g., YouTube). A good example is the Home Tree Initiative, a scheme led by James Cameron and 20th Century Fox, in association with the Earth Day Network, that was launched alongside Avatar's home release (on Earth Day).…”

Section: Harnessing the Power Of Hollywoodmentioning

confidence: 99%

Considering connections between Hollywood and biodiversity conservation

Silk

Crowley

Woodhead

et al. 2018

Conservation Biology

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“…Viewing wildlife films has been correlated with taking positive conservation action. For example, Arendt and Matthes () found viewing a wildlife film resulted in increased donations for nature related causes compared to viewing a control film. In addition, Clark () reported that individuals who viewed conservation films more frequently had an increased rate of several conservation actions including not purchasing products from companies believed to be destructive to the environment, donating money to wildlife organizations, volunteering for wildlife organizations, and supporting political candidates who advocated for protecting wildlife.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the effect of a year‐long film focused environmental education program on Ugandan student knowledge of and attitudes toward great apes

Leeds

Lukas

Kendall

et al. 2017

American J Primatol

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Films, as part of a larger environmental education program, have the potential to influence the knowledge and attitudes of viewers. However, to date, no evaluations have been published reporting the effectiveness of films, when used within primate range countries as part of a conservation themed program. The Great Ape Education Project was a year-long environmental education program implemented in Uganda for primary school students living adjacent to Kibale National Park (KNP) and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP). Students viewed a trilogy of conservation films about great apes, produced specifically for this audience, and participated in complementary extra-curricular activities. The knowledge and attitudes of students participating in the program from KNP, but not BINP were assessed using questionnaires prior to (N = 1271) and following (N = 872) the completion of the program. Following the program, students demonstrated a significant increase in their knowledge of threats to great apes and an increase in their knowledge of ways that villagers and students can help conserve great apes. Additionally, student attitudes toward great apes improved following the program. For example, students showed an increase in agreement with liking great apes and viewing them as important to the environment. These data provide evidence that conservation films made specifically to address regional threats and using local actors and settings can positively influence knowledge of and attitudes toward great apes among students living in a primate range country.

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Nature Documentaries, Connectedness to Nature, and Pro-environmental Behavior

Cited by 120 publications

References 31 publications

Storytelling for Social Change: Leveraging Documentary and Comedy for Public Engagement in Global Poverty

Storytelling for Social Change: Leveraging Documentary and Comedy for Public Engagement in Global Poverty

Considering connections between Hollywood and biodiversity conservation

Evaluating the effect of a year‐long film focused environmental education program on Ugandan student knowledge of and attitudes toward great apes

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