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Are Pandas Effective Ambassadors for Promoting Wildlife Conservation and International Diplomacy?

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  • Dongdong Yang

    (Department of Communication, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA)

  • Carolyn A. Lin

    (Department of Communication, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA)

Abstract

The current study drew from emotional contagion and source credibility theories to investigate whether watching differentially sourced panda videos may influence attitudes toward the “brand” image of China. An experiment (N = 245) conducted with a U.S. college student sample showed that perceived source credibility and nature relatedness were positively linked to emotional response toward the video. A non-governmental video source was perceived to be more credible than a governmental video source in influencing attitude toward Chinese culture, emotional response toward the video, and attitude toward wildlife conservation. The latter two variables and nature relatedness likewise positively predicted attitude toward Chinese culture, which in turn had a positive effect on attitude toward Chinese people; attitude toward Chinese people further positively affected attitude toward Chinese government. These findings suggest that panda diplomacy as a soft-power nation-branding device might have been relatively effective in building goodwill toward Chinese culture, people, and government overtime.

Suggested Citation

  • Dongdong Yang & Carolyn A. Lin, 2022. "Are Pandas Effective Ambassadors for Promoting Wildlife Conservation and International Diplomacy?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:18:p:11383-:d:911896
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Michael J. Manfredo & Tara L. Teel & Kimberly L. Henry, 2009. "Linking Society and Environment: A Multilevel Model of Shifting Wildlife Value Orientations in the Western United States," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 90(2), pages 407-427, June.
    2. Hyehyun Hong & Suman Lee & Qianqian Tian, 2020. "The Influence of International Education Experience on Host Country-Related Outcomes: An Analysis of Chinese Students’ Relationships with South Korean Universities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-15, November.
    3. Cindy Harmon-Jones & Brock Bastian & Eddie Harmon-Jones, 2016. "The Discrete Emotions Questionnaire: A New Tool for Measuring State Self-Reported Emotions," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(8), pages 1-25, August.
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