TY - JOUR
T1 - Can scientists use simple infographics to convince? Effects of the “flatten the curve” charts on perceptions of and behavioral intentions toward social distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic
AU - Li, Nan
AU - Molder, Amanda L.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2021.
PY - 2021/10
Y1 - 2021/10
N2 - Infographics of modest complexity are commonly used to convey knowledge to non-experts. However, little is known regarding how the use of infographics may convince the public and lead to massive behavioral changes in response to an acute cause. In March 2020, scientists and journalists revamped a scholarly published graph into the “flatten the curve” (FTC) mantra that defined the United States’ initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined how Americans’ awareness of the flatten the curve charts relates to their perceived effectiveness of social distancing measures, perceived controllability of the pandemic, and behavioral intentions toward social distancing measures. Implications on visual communication of science are discussed.
AB - Infographics of modest complexity are commonly used to convey knowledge to non-experts. However, little is known regarding how the use of infographics may convince the public and lead to massive behavioral changes in response to an acute cause. In March 2020, scientists and journalists revamped a scholarly published graph into the “flatten the curve” (FTC) mantra that defined the United States’ initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined how Americans’ awareness of the flatten the curve charts relates to their perceived effectiveness of social distancing measures, perceived controllability of the pandemic, and behavioral intentions toward social distancing measures. Implications on visual communication of science are discussed.
KW - COVID-19
KW - flatten the curve
KW - information visualization
KW - visual communication
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85113594300&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/09636625211038719
DO - 10.1177/09636625211038719
M3 - Article
C2 - 34448434
AN - SCOPUS:85113594300
SN - 0963-6625
VL - 30
SP - 898
EP - 912
JO - Public Understanding of Science
JF - Public Understanding of Science
IS - 7
ER -