In this study, we investigate the differential impact of artistic versus documentary dystopian imagery of climate change using an experimental design (N = 1155, German access panel). We present supporting evidence for the hypotheses that abstract artworks depicting dystopian scenarios of climate change, compared to documentary photographs, lead to higher aesthetic judgments, are likely to evoke stronger positive and weaker negative emotions, and result in greater psychological distancing, lower attention to climate change, and reduced efficacy beliefs to mitigate climate change. Moreover, based on an exploratory content analysis, we show that most participants recognize a nature motif and reference to an environmental problem in both images. However, only the artwork prompted positive reactions or unique interpretations beyond the immediate subject of the image. Our study highlights a critical need for a balanced use of visual media in climate change advocacy.

中文翻译：

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艺术会有所作为吗？– 对接受艺术和非艺术世界末日气候图像的差异感知和处理的实验调查


在这项研究中，我们使用实验设计（N = 1155，德国访问面板）调查了气候变化的艺术与纪实反乌托邦图像的不同影响。我们提出了支持证据，证明与纪实照片相比，描绘气候变化反乌托邦情景的抽象艺术作品会导致更高的审美判断，可能会唤起更强的积极和较弱的消极情绪，并导致更大的心理距离、对气候变化的关注降低和缓解气候变化的有效性信念降低。此外，基于探索性内容分析，我们表明大多数参与者在两张图像中都识别出自然主题和对环境问题的引用。然而，只有艺术作品在图像的直接主题之外引发了积极的反应或独特的解释。我们的研究强调了在气候变化倡导中平衡使用视觉媒体的迫切需求。