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Can science fiction engagement predict identification with all humanity? Testing a moderated mediation model
Fuzhong Wu1, Mingjie Zhou2,3, Zheng Zhang1
1School of Journalism and Communication, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
Frontiers in Psychology
|September 5, 2022
Summary
Science fiction engagement boosts identification with all humanity (IWAH), fostering global solidarity. Abstract construal partially explains this link, with actively open-minded thinking (AOT) playing a complex moderating role.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Media Studies
- Sociology
Background:
- Identification with all humanity (IWAH) is crucial for global solidarity.
- The origins of IWAH and the influence of popular culture remain under-explored.
- Science fiction (sci-fi) is a global pop-culture genre with potential to shape IWAH.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of sci-fi engagement on IWAH.
- To examine the mediating role of abstract construal in the sci-fi-IWAH relationship.
- To assess the moderating effect of actively open-minded thinking (AOT) on these associations.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional survey design.
- Participants: 570 individuals in China.
- Statistical analyses including mediation and moderation.
Main Results:
- Sci-fi engagement positively correlated with IWAH.
- Abstract construal partially mediated the relationship between sci-fi engagement and IWAH.
- AOT moderated the indirect effect positively and the direct effect negatively, contrary to hypotheses.
Conclusions:
- Sci-fi engagement can cultivate IWAH, partly through enhanced abstract thinking.
- The moderating role of AOT is complex and warrants further investigation.
- Pop culture offers a viable avenue for promoting global solidarity and IWAH.
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