ABSTRACT

Narrative messages are assumed to be more effective in changing recipients' attitudes than non-narrative messages. However, empirical evidence to support this assumption is sparse. We incorporated theoretical assumptions about the mechanisms of narrative persuasion into the two-step model of defensive processing to test whether narratives were more effective in changing recipients' attitudes toward legalizing marijuana for recreational use. We conducted two parallel experiments, one in Germany (N = 157) and one in the United States (N = 399). Our findings did not support the general assumption that narratives were more effective than non-narrative messages. However, prior attitudes were identified as an important unique factor in shaping recipients' transportation and identification and, in turn, the recipients' attitudes.

摘要

叙事信息被认为比非叙事信息更有效地改变接收者的态度。然而，支持这一假设的经验证据很少。我们将关于叙事说服机制的理论假设纳入防御处理的两步模型，以测试叙事是否更有效地改变接受者对娱乐用途大麻合法化的态度。我们进行了两项平行实验，一项在德国（N = 157），一项在美国（N= 399)。我们的研究结果不支持叙事比非叙事信息更有效的一般假设。然而，先前的态度被认为是影响接受者的交通和身份识别的一个重要的独特因素，进而影响接受者的态度。