Abstract
A field experiment in Rwanda investigated the impact of a radio drama designed to increase perspective-taking with regard to the history of intergroup conflict. An audio-based priming technique was used to assess the causal impact of the radio drama. Rwandan participants (N= 842) listened to an audio-delivered questionnaire recorded either in the voice of a main character of the radio drama (experimental priming condition) or an unknown actor (control condition). Participants primed with the radio drama reported higher levels of historical perspective-taking, engaged less in competitive victimhood, and expressed less mistrust toward the out-group. Overall, the findings suggest that fictional radio dramas can be used to address opposing historical narratives in the aftermath of violent conflict. Additionally, the study demonstrates the usefulness of a priming paradigm to assess causal influence of mass media interventions.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 144-151 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Journal of Experimental Social Psychology |
Volume | 49 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2013 |
Keywords
- Intergroup conflict
- Mass media
- Perspective-taking
- Reconciliation
- Trust
- Victimhood
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Psychology
- Sociology and Political Science