TY - CHAP

T1 - Does storytelling for sustainability work? An experiment

AU - Sundermann, Anna

AU - Fischer, Daniel

AU - Fücker, Sonja

AU - Hanss, Daniel

AU - Selm, Hanna

PY - 2022/12/8

Y1 - 2022/12/8

N2 - This chapter presents the results of a field experiment conducted in the attempt of closing the research gap on SusTelling effects. The study explored the effects of text-based storytelling among adults aged 18–24 years on situational interest, personal consumption-related, and sustainability-related engagement intentions. In addition, the study investigated interactions with personal characteristics, such as affinity for sustainability and level of education. This chapter starts with a description of the research problem, which highlights the lack of knowledge on how storytelling can activate participation in social transformation processes. It then reports on the field experiment and two follow-up group discussions, conducted to explore the hypothesized effects. Results showed no differences concerning the effects of SusTelling journalistic texts and classic reporting style on the dependent variables. These results confirm earlier studies that storytelling effects are strongly influenced by the characteristics of the participants, the communication medium, and the reception situation. Different interpretations of the results are described at the end of this chapter, followed by recommendations for future research.

AB - This chapter presents the results of a field experiment conducted in the attempt of closing the research gap on SusTelling effects. The study explored the effects of text-based storytelling among adults aged 18–24 years on situational interest, personal consumption-related, and sustainability-related engagement intentions. In addition, the study investigated interactions with personal characteristics, such as affinity for sustainability and level of education. This chapter starts with a description of the research problem, which highlights the lack of knowledge on how storytelling can activate participation in social transformation processes. It then reports on the field experiment and two follow-up group discussions, conducted to explore the hypothesized effects. Results showed no differences concerning the effects of SusTelling journalistic texts and classic reporting style on the dependent variables. These results confirm earlier studies that storytelling effects are strongly influenced by the characteristics of the participants, the communication medium, and the reception situation. Different interpretations of the results are described at the end of this chapter, followed by recommendations for future research.

KW - Sustainability sciences, Communication

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85141173625&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/4b655179-d916-394d-9745-51f826543093/

U2 - 10.4324/9781003326144-5

DO - 10.4324/9781003326144-5

M3 - Chapter

AN - SCOPUS:85141173625

SN - 9781032352695

SN - 9781032352701

SP - 26

EP - 44

BT - Narrating Sustainability through Storytelling

A2 - Fischer, Daniel

A2 - Fücker, Sonja

A2 - Selm, Hanna

A2 - Sundermann, Anna

PB - Taylor and Francis Inc.

ER -