Reducing Resistance to Communication about Climate Change Using an Applied Self-affirmation Intervention

Abstract

Self-affirmation is a psychological process in which individuals draw upon important aspects of their self-concept to maintain a positive evaluation of themselves. Previous work has found that self-affirmation can reduce biased processing of information that conflicts with individuals’ prior beliefs or political ideology. However, little research has examined the effect of self-affirmation in the domain of climate change communication.