Holm, Hanna-Marie Fredrika (2023) The Curious Case of Art and Climate Change: The Impact of Art-Induced Distance on ‘Out-Of-The-Box’ Climate Policies and Feelings Overwhelmed. Research Master thesis, Research Master.
|
Text
The Curious Case of Art and Climate Change The Impact of Art-Induced Distance on Out-Of-The-Box Climate Policies and Feelings Overwhelmed.pdf Download (811kB) | Preview |
Abstract
To mitigate climate change, we require climate policies which go beyond current standards and practices. However, as people strive for the known, such ‘out-of-the-box’ climate policies may risk low acceptance. Visual climate art may counteract our reaction against ‘out-of-the-box’ climate policies as it creates a space to explore uncomfortable ideas with less emotional intensity. We employed an experimental design on a representational Dutch sample (N = 677) to test our hypotheses that art depicting climate change consequences induces distance from the issue, which decreases feeling overwhelmed by climate change, ultimately resulting in increased policy acceptance. Both the art frame (i.e., art vs. real image) and artistic style (abstract vs. representational) were manipulated. Art increased feeling like a distant observer from climate change above ‘real’ images, while abstract art induced this distance sensation more than representational art. This art-induced distance decreased feelings of being overwhelmed by climate change. Contrary to our expectations, distance decreased policy acceptance while feeling overwhelmed by climate change increased it. Subsequently, art can be used as a tool to instigate distance. However, whether art and its inherent distance perceptions induce policy acceptance may depend on the system in which it functions and whether this system focuses on the problem of climate change or the solution.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Research Master) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Bouman, T. |
| Degree programme: | Research Master |
| Differentiation route: | Other [Research Master] |
| Date Deposited: | 27 Nov 2023 09:45 |
| Last Modified: | 12 Jan 2024 07:51 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/2936 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |