Saturday, August 20, 2022
SCIENMAG: Latest Science and Health News
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • HOME PAGE
  • BIOLOGY
  • CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
  • MEDICINE
    • Cancer
    • Infectious Emerging Diseases
  • SPACE
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • CONTACT US
  • HOME PAGE
  • BIOLOGY
  • CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
  • MEDICINE
    • Cancer
    • Infectious Emerging Diseases
  • SPACE
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • CONTACT US
No Result
View All Result
Scienmag - Latest science news from science magazine
No Result
View All Result
Home SCIENCE NEWS Biology

Recent wildlife documentaries affect public understanding of wider conservation

April 15, 2021
in Biology
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Research led by the University of Kent has found that the personification of animals in recent wildlife documentaries leads to significant misinformation and creates problems for public understanding of wider conservation

Research led by the University of Kent’s Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) has found that the personification of animals in recent wildlife documentaries leads to significant misinformation and creates problems for public understanding of wider conservation.

In a research paper published by People and Nature, Professor Keith Somerville (DICE), Dr Amy Dickman, Dr Paul Johnson (both from the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, University of Oxford), and Professor Adam Hart (University of Gloucestershire) argue that the portrayal of charismatic animals in nature films, while entertaining, risks the propagation of misconceptions about nature and conservation.

A common theme recognised through analysis was the portrayal of animals and their behaviour as though they have similar minds, motivations and personalities as people (anthropomorphism). Further to this, false jeopardy, where normal situations in animals’ lives are presented as though they are unusual and far more dangerous than they really are, was commonly used to create suspense.

Nature documentaries are ever popular for informing people’s knowledge of the natural world, and influencing their understanding of wildlife, species and habitats. Yet, with conservation increasingly relying on public support, the researchers stress the importance of people being presented with factually correct information through nature documentaries.

Professor Somerville said: ‘Natural history documentaries are the closest many will get to seeing featured animals and their behaviour in the wild. They are a significant source of information to highlight wildlife, conservation, and environmental issues. Therefore, it is critical that rather than framing ‘stories’ as soap operas to gain emotive impact, more focus is given to showing the true problems that exist in the natural world today.’

###

The research paper ‘Soap operas will not wash for wildlife’ is published by People and Nature. doi: 10.1002/pan3.10202

Media Contact
Olivia Miller
[email protected]
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10202

Tags: Advertising/Public RelationsAnimal Research/RightsPerception/AwarenessPolicy/EthicsZoology/Veterinary Science
Share25Tweet16Share4ShareSendShare
  • Fig1_EcosystemReconstruction(Credit_HenrySharpe).png

    Global warming spawned the age of reptiles

    70 shares
    Share 28 Tweet 18
  • 60 million years of climate change drove the evolution and diversity of reptiles

    67 shares
    Share 27 Tweet 17
  • New insights on how some individuals with obesity can lose weight – and keep it off

    70 shares
    Share 28 Tweet 18
  • UArizona Cancer Center receives highest NCI designation as Comprehensive Cancer Center

    68 shares
    Share 27 Tweet 17
  • Climate change may cause steeper wheat price spikes and economic inequality

    64 shares
    Share 26 Tweet 16
  • Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding: rebleeding rates and rebleeding predictors found

    64 shares
    Share 26 Tweet 16
ADVERTISEMENT

About us

We bring you the latest science news from best research centers and universities around the world. Check our website.

Latest NEWS

Reinvigorating ‘lost cause’ exhausted T cells could improve cancer immunotherapy

Allison Institute announces formation of scientific advisory board

How quinine caused World War I (hyperbolic title alert) (video)

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 194 other subscribers

© 2022 Scienmag- Science Magazine: Latest Science News.

No Result
View All Result
  • HOME PAGE
  • BIOLOGY
  • CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
  • MEDICINE
    • Cancer
    • Infectious Emerging Diseases
  • SPACE
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • CONTACT US

© 2022 Scienmag- Science Magazine: Latest Science News.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In