The persuasive effects of narrative entertainment
A meta-analysis of recent experiments
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 13109448 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Bardia Rahmani (0000-0003-4799-9299, Harvard University Press, corresponding author), Beatrice Montano (0000-0002-9683-7096, Columbia University), Dylan W Groves (0000-0003-2543-4545, Lafayette College), Donald P Green (0000-0002-8850-438X, Columbia University) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Pages | 1-23 |
| Publication date | 2025-10-07 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Behavioural Public Policy (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2398-063X • E-ISSN: 2398-0648 |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1017/bpp.2025.10010 |
| OpenAlex | W4414877075 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 49 |
Is narrative entertainment simply a form of recreation, or does it have meaningful effects on public opinion? Building on prior reviews, we present a meta-analysis of 377 findings from 77 experiments evaluating the persuasive effects of narrative radio, television and film, including a growing body of work from low- and middle-income countries. Our sample includes both entertainment-first narratives – popular media created primarily to entertain but which may incidentally shape audiences’ attitudes, beliefs and behaviors – and education-first narratives designed by policymakers to inform, persuade or motivate public action. Using a hierarchical-effects model, we assess narrative media’s influence across a wide range of settings and issue domains. The results suggest that narrative entertainment is quite influential, with sizable persuasive effects that remain apparent weeks after initial exposure. A smaller literature reports head-to-head tests of the relative effectiveness of narrative vs non-narrative messages; although inconclusive, the evidence suggests that narratives may be only slightly more persuasive than non-narrative messages. If true, this finding would imply that the main advantage of narratives may be their ability to attract and engage large and diverse audiences. We conclude by calling attention to gaps in the literature and proposing avenues for further research
Entertainment · Narrative · Narrative criticism · Narrative inquiry · Persuasion · Sample (material · Media Influence and Health · Media Studies and Communication · Media, Gender, and Advertising
Handbook of Public Policy Agenda Setting
Communication and Persuasion
Choice and Preference in Media Use
Beyond Power Calculations
Publication Bias in Psychology
Prejudice Reduction
Comparing narrative and informational videos to increase mammography in low-income African American women
The Differential Impact of Statistical and Narrative Evidence on Beliefs, Attitude, and Intention
Using Narrative Communication as a Tool for Health Behavior Change
Health Promotion by Social Cognitive Means
The Impact of Health Narratives on Persuasion in African American Women
Narrative and choice effects on learning outcomes
The Role of Fictional Film Exposure and Narrative Engagement for Personal Norms, Guilt and Intentions to Protect The Climate
Encouraging Community Action Against Teacher Absenteeism
Narrative versus Nonnarrative
Evaluation of two health education interventions to improve the varicella vaccination
Overcoming Resistance Through Narratives
Entertainment-education effectively reduces prejudice
Meta-analytic evidence for the persuasive effect of narratives on beliefs, attitudes, intentions, and behaviors
Placebo-Augmented Pica Design (Pica-2)
Journal article reporting standards for quantitative research in psychology
How Does Media Influence Social Norms? Experimental Evidence on the Role of Common Knowledge
It’s the End of the World and They Know It
A Radio Drama’s Effects on Attitudes Toward Early and Forced Marriage
Countering Violence Against Women by Encouraging Disclosure
Which Narrative Strategies Durably Reduce Prejudice? Evidence from Field and Survey Experiments Supporting the Efficacy of Perspective‐Getting
Motivated resistance and openness to persuasion in the presence or absence of prior information
Reducing intergroup prejudice and conflict using the media
Persuading the Enemy
Deference, Dissent, and Dispute Resolution
| Unique citing works | 2 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 2 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 2 |