From Three Mile Island to Fukushima: the impact of analogy on attitudes toward nuclear power

摘要: Policy scholars are paying increasing attention to the role of language in policy debates, with particular emphasis on narratives. narratives serve as strategic tools that, among other things, can shift public opinion favor preferences. One narrative element that has received little thus far from is analogy, though analogies frequently appear stories. This study applies insights analogical reasoning fields cognitive and political psychology literature narrative. I argue best classified a component story’s plotline, explore potential micro-level impacts attitudes. Using Narrative Framework, examine empirical effects exposure analogy related nuclear power using data national-level survey 2544 US adults conducted by Marist Poll. In split-sample design, respondents were exposed prompts discussed generally or reference past accidents at Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and/or Fukushima, then asked about their views energy. The results indicate analogizing limited, participants hear negative do not have attitudes significantly more toward power. However, there interesting interaction between partisanship, suggesting existence partisan entrenchment issue.