Impacts of Viewing An Inconvenient Truth on the Information-Gathering Behaviors of Teenagers Regarding Climate Change Topics
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58445/rars.2602Keywords:
Climate Change, An Inconvenient Truth, Information Gathering, TeenagersAbstract
The purpose of this research was to investigate whether or not viewing the documentary film An Inconvenient Truth caused a change in the information-gathering behaviors of teenagers regarding climate change topics. A mixed-methods design was utilized to both quantitatively and qualitatively understand any change that occurred in behaviors before and after viewing the film. Surveys were administered to participants before and after attending a viewing of AIT to track any change in the frequency of information-gathering behaviors, and interviews were conducted post-viewing to identify why any changes did or did not occur. Statistical analysis of survey responses and thematic analysis of interviews revealed that, while no statistically significant change in information-gathering specifically occurred, participants were successfully able to identify the persuasion tactics used in the film and felt that some level of change happened in their behaviors. Ultimately, the most prominent effect of the film was a greater awareness among participants about climate change, its timescale, and the extent of its effects. The results of this study should persuade documentary filmmakers to reevaluate the effectiveness of their tactics in changing the behaviors of their audience, as well as spark further research into the effectiveness of An Inconvenient Truth at inciting other specific types of behavior. Limitations to this study include a non-generalizable sample size, current events regarding climate change coinciding with the execution of data collection for this study, and inability to limit certain types of biases in the responses of participants. Future research should utilize larger sample sizes and focus on the frequency of other types of behavior resulting from An Inconvenient Truth.
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