Health risk communication message comprehension is influenced by image inclusion.

Health risk communication message comprehension is influenced by image inclusion. J Vis Commun Med. 2018 Jul 10;:1-9 Authors: Manno FAM, Lively MB, Manno SHC, Cheng SH, Lau C Abstract The impact of images on risk communications such as public service announcements is unknown. Whether images contained within a printed message such as a food safety warning alters the comprehension of the underlying text, has not previously been explored. The present study examined three factors of a risk communication in the print form: (1) the role images play in promoting comprehension of risk messages, (2) how demographic variables such as gender impacts message reception and (3) the need for cognition, or the degree to which some individuals are innately motivated to comprehend and understand information. Examples of risk communications in the print form are warnings on food or tobacco and alcohol warnings. In the present study, students at an undergraduate university (N = 92, 61 females, age 19.89 (SD =1.94) years, range 18-32), read risk communications with and without images. The purpose of the study was to ascertain the affect images have on message comprehension and receptivity. Comprehension was assessed by the structural knowledge test. Negative/fear-arousing images increase message receptivity and subsequent learning when accompanying printed risk communications. Gender alone did not significantly impact message receptivity, although ma...
Source: Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine - Category: Information Technology Tags: J Vis Commun Med Source Type: research