Theses and Dissertations
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Browsing Theses and Dissertations by Author "Anderson, Ashley, advisor"
Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Open Access Helping behaviors during disaster reporting stages: a measure of innate and conditioned differences in empathy and compassion generation(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2015) Thompson, Jena J., author; Anderson, Ashley, advisor; Trumbo, Craig, committee member; Henry, Kimberly, committee memberThe frequency of significant disasters has increased, worldwide; yet, donations have not steadily increased to provide sufficient disaster relief for those affected by the events. This study investigates how two disaster news reporting stages (Stage 1 and 2) with different newswriting formats (hard and soft news stories) can affect millennials' generation of empathy, compassion, and helping behaviors. Innate tendencies (in the form of emotional contagion and gender differences) and conditioned responses (through internalization of the principle of care) were also considered as moderating variables for helping behaviors. The study incorporated an experimental design with random assignment to a Stage 1, hard news story or Stage 2, soft news story condition. While no significant relationships were found among generated empathy, compassion, or helping behavior intent in either news story condition; significant results were found for emotional contagion and gender differences' moderating role in helping behavior intent, as well as the principle of care's effect on donation decisions. Best practices for improving disaster relief communication campaigns include 1) heightened fundraising campaigns during Stage 1 and 2 reporting, 2) strategic content organization to increase helping behavior likelihood, 3) utilizing media platforms catered more toward females, 4) more emphasis on volunteering opportunities for millennials rather than financial investments, 5) greater diversity in terms of who millennials can partner with to aid in disaster relief, and 6) continued improvement of communication campaigns directed toward millennials and commitment to include this generation in disaster recovery efforts.Item Open Access In times of extreme weather events: Gen Z and information seeking about climate change on digital media(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2019) Okeke, Ujunwa Melvis, author; Anderson, Ashley, advisor; Sivakumar, Gaya, committee member; Melzer, Susan, committee memberThis study aimed to examine the factors that motivate Gen Z members to seek information and engage in conversations in digital media around the topic of climate change. The current study adopted some individual-level factors from the original Risk Information Seeking and Processing model. An ordinary least squares regression model was used to explore data from an online survey administered to students (n=76) at Colorado State University. Results showed that informational subjective norms, current knowledge of extreme weather events, and perceptions of extreme weather events are related to climate change information seeking. In addition, information seeking, and the approach taken to process information leads to interactivity around climate change issues on digital media. One of the ways people get involved with climate change is seeking and having conversations on the topic. This research provides practical insights for reaching members of Generation Z. Stakeholders should utilize young adults' social networks to encourage more engagement on the topic, make an effort in writing articles that can alleviate people's hope not bash it. Encouragement of deeper engagement with the issue through alternative modes of communication and adding technological features that encourage interactions on online articles are recommended.Item Open Access There's something in the air: studying the behavioral intention of outdoor workers to protect their health during air quality events(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Giesenhagen, Erica Therese, author; Anderson, Ashley, advisor; Abrams, Katie, committee member; Magzamen, Sheryl, committee memberPoor air quality has been an issue in the United States for decades and has been made more prevalent due to the world's changing environment. Exposure to poor air quality can lead to both short- and long-term health effects that can range in severity. There are a number of health-protective measures an individual can take in order to reduce the effects of poor air quality. The purpose of this study is to research what motivates outdoor workers to take health-protective measures during periods of poor air quality. This study utilizes the Health Belief Model (HBM) and a qualitative approach. Through focus groups with outdoor workers from the City of Fort Collins (n = 18), this study aimed to find out what motivates outdoor workers to take health-protective measures during air quality events. Main findings were that outdoor workers at the City of Fort Collins have experienced air quality events and have the knowledge of what health-protective measures they can take to limit their exposure. It was evident that there is limited action in taking health-protective action during periods of poor air quality. The study concludes with suggestions for ways that current functions of the City of Fort Collins can be improved to further support the outdoor workers for taking health-protective action from poor air quality.