New food technology and public fear: Testing motivated information behaviors and the problem chain recognition effect between lay and educated publics
Abstract
This study was an investigation into the communicative behaviors of publics about emerging food technologies, using the situational theory of problem solving as a conceptual frame. In this study, the Problem Chain Recognition Effect was tested to see if the recognition of a salient food risk may lead to recognition of new food technologies. The similarities and differences between the lay publics and expert/educated publics were researched and reported as part of this study. The results of this study help understand the breadth of communication behaviors that publics might engage in regarding new food technologies, and delineate similarities/differences in predicted behaviors of educated and lay publics. The theoretical and practical implications of the results of this research were also discussed.
Degree
M.A.
Advisors
Kim, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Communication
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