Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

Spring 4-22-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

May 2026

Department

Psychology

College Granting Degree

Charles E. Schmidt College of Science

Department Granting Degree

Psychology

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Andrzej Nowak

Abstract

Effective scientific communication is critical in today’s media environment, dominated by misinformation, sensational headlines, and targeted advertisements. Research shows that simply presenting scientific information is not enough to change opinions or reduce misinformation; instead, messages must be tailored to specific audiences. This is especially important for climate change, where people often hold resistant attitudes and are overwhelmed by information. However, no studies have applied Action Identification Theory to changing opinions or the intention–behavior gap in climate change. The current study examines how alignment or misalignment of message type and enduring personal agency affects participants’ climate-friendly beliefs and behaviors. Some support was found for matching message level to an individual’s personal agency, with the strongest effects observed for low level messages promoting positive changes in climate-friendly beliefs and behavior. Overall, this study shows that effective scientific communication depends on message framing and, to some extent, an individual’s stable action identification level.

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