Bridging Climate Communication Divides: Beyond the Partisan Gap
Abstract
Social divides on climate change are often attributed to political factors, but new psychological research points to a wide range of group influences beyond politics that shape public opinion on climate change. We highlight two commonly overlooked sources of influence that represent key underutilized leverage points for public outreach: (1) the roles of racial, ethnic, and cultural identities and (2) the power of social perceptions (i.e., meta-beliefs) in mobilizing public action. This research points to an urgent need to broaden how scientists, policymakers, and the media think about public engagement and consensus building in the domain of climate change.
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Biographies
Adam R. Pearson, PhD, is an assistant professor of psychology at Pomona College and a member of the graduate faculty in the Division of Behavioral and Organizational Sciences at Claremont Graduate University, and a visiting fellow at Princeton University. He received a PhD in social psychology from Yale University. His research explores how groups impact sustainability, climate change, and collective action motives.
Jonathon P. Schuldt, PhD, is an assistant professor of communication at Cornell University and a faculty fellow at the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future. He received a PhD in social psychology from the University of Michigan. His research explores factors that influence judgments, decisions, and public opinion in the health and environment domains.
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Article first published online: October 15, 2015
Issue published: December 2015
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Published online: October 15, 2015
Issue published: December 2015
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