An Examination of Character Similarity and Message Elaboration on Psychological Reactance within an Entertainment Education (EE) Context

• In Event: Using the media to improve health

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine if presenting persuasive health information in an entertainment education (EE) context has the potential to inhibit reactance. We explored the effect of character similarity and message elaboration on state reactance as well as trait reactance and issue involvement on message outcomes. Results suggest that character similarity, message elaboration, trait reactance, and issue involvement all play an integral role in the effectiveness of these entertaining narratives.

Authors

• Brian Quick, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

• Jessie Quintero Johnson, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign