Theses and Dissertations
Advisor
Sherman-Morris, Kathleen
Committee Member
Gutter, Barrett F.
Committee Member
Poe, Philip S.
Date of Degree
5-10-2024
Original embargo terms
Immediate Worldwide Access
Document Type
Graduate Thesis - Open Access
Major
Geoscience (Professional Meteorology/Climatology)
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.)
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Department of Geosciences
Abstract
Tornado warnings are life-threatening situations, and since the public uses television as the main source for tornado warning information, it is important to know how different visuals and messages are influencing the opinions and intentions of people. This research found that participants were more apt to say they would shelter if they were shown a tornado video than a radar video displaying storm-relative velocity or correlation coefficient, while seeing the tornado brought out a heightened level of anxiety and fear. Participants were most influenced by a call-to-action statement spoken by the meteorologist. Participants expressed negative feelings after being asked to both shelter and send in tornado footage at the same time. The standard call-to-action video and one with the addition of viewer-submitted tornado footage were statistically equivalent. Participants more correctly identified the location of a tornado on the radar product explained to them than one that was not.
Recommended Citation
Balentine, Kristina Marie, "Determining the influence of broadcast visuals and messages on the public’s perceptions and intent to shelter in tornado warnings" (2024). Theses and Dissertations. 6079.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/6079