Researchers hypothesized that more vivid communications about proposed policies could help reduce controversy and skepticism. They tested this approach using two online surveys with over 3,000 people. Participants read about a hypothetical proposal to boost investment in public transportation, improve and expand sidewalks, and add bus and bike lanes on major roads. Then they saw an image of a typical American street. After that, some participants read a short text describing how the proposal would change that street. Other participants saw a sketch showing the changes. Yet others saw AI-generated photorealistic images of the street showing the changes.
Those who saw the photorealistic images expressed the greatest support for the proposal. They were better able to imagine the benefits of the proposal and more likely to say the proposal would significantly improve their lives. |
