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Thinking About Right and Wrong: Effects of Moral Conflict on Entertainment Experiences, Information Processing, and Knowledge

Fri, May 26, 14:00 to 15:15, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Floor: 2, Indigo Ballroom D

Abstract

The model of intuitive morality and exemplars (MIME, Tamborini, 2011, 2013) proposes a dual-process framework that explains audience reactions to fictional media content. Given that news stories feature many morally-laden topics, this study investigated the effect of moral conflict in news stories on entertainment experiences, information processing, and learning outcomes, in particular objective and subjective knowledge. An online experiment (N = 287) using a feature story (moral conflict vs. no moral conflict) as stimulus was conducted. Results show that pondering on a moral conflict does not hamper learning outcomes, but rather facilitates them. However, moral conflict only increases learning outcomes when individuals cognitively elaborate the content. The results are discussed with regard to the influence of entertainment experiences on information processing and learning.

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