Technical Communication Quarterly Apr 2022

How Real Is Too Real? User-Testing the Effects of Realism as a Risk Communication Strategy in Sea Level Rise Visualizations

Daniel P. Richards Dominion University College ; Erin E. Jacobson Film Independent

Abstract

In visual risk communication, there has been a push toward using realism to show potential effects of sea level rise on coastal communities, often with the assumption that higher degrees of realism are more effective. We challenge this assumption by sharing the results of a user-based study exploring reactions to simulated images of flooded landmarks. The findings identify nuanced rhetorical and emotional responses, encouraging technical communicators to contribute to risk scholarship in psychology and cartography.

Journal
Technical Communication Quarterly
Published
2022-04-03
DOI
10.1080/10572252.2021.1986135
CompPile
Open Access
Closed
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Cited by in this index (6)

  1. Doan et al. (2026)
    Charting a New Course: An Inventory of Data Visualization Scholarship in TPC Fr…
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    “What People Are Saying” About Extreme Weather: A Comparison of Public Commenta…
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    Improving Technical and Risk Communication: An Organizational Study of North Ca…
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  5. Welhausen (2023)
    Wicked Problems in Risk Assessment: Mapping Yellow Fever and Constructing Risk …
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  1. Sorapure (2023)
    User Perceptions of Actionability in Data Dashboards
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CrossRef global citation count: 12 View in citation network → Build reading path →

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