Extending the Cognitive Mediation Model: Examining Factors Associated With Perceived Familiarity and Factual Knowledge of Nanotechnology

Abstract

This research—a pilot study on the cognitive mediation model (CMM) in Singapore—seeks to revisit and test the applicability of an extended CMM in the context of nanotechnology by examining perceived familiarity as a separate outcome variable in addition to factual knowledge. A cross-sectional survey was administered to a nationally representative sample of 719 adult Singaporeans. Results demonstrated partial support for the hypothesized CMM. First, elaboration was positively associated with both factual knowledge and perceived familiarity, whereas interpersonal discussions about science was associated only with familiarity. Results also showed differential relationships between attention to media platforms (traditional vs. new media) and reflective integration (composed of elaborative processing and interpersonal discussion); whereas attention to science reporting in newspapers and science television programs were associated with elaboration, media attention across all platforms were associated with interpersonal discussions. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

FUNDING

This work was supported by a grant from Nanyang Technological University (Grant No. M4080206).

Notes

¹ One of the main objectives of this study is to validate the proposed conceptual framework. This study serves as a groundwork for future CMM studies, as it is one of the first few studies that attempts to advance the CMM model by (a) including perceived familiarity as an additional outcome and (b) disaggregating media attention into four distinct dimensions: attention to newspapers, attention to TV news, attention to TV programs, and attention to online news.

² For the structure equation model, each construct should have at least two indicators (Kenny, Kashy, & Bolger, 1998).

³ The idea behind the term anticipatory information seeking is derived from anticipatory elaboration, which refers to a situation in which individuals engage in cognitive processing of a particular content when they expect to have a conversation about it with others.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a grant from Nanyang Technological University (Grant No. M4080206).

Notes on contributors

Xiaodong Yang

Xiaodong Yang (M.A., Renmin University of China, 2011) is a Ph.D. candidate in the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Her research focuses on environmental, health, and science communication.

Agnes S. F. Chuah

Agnes S. F. Chuah (M.A., University Utara Malaysia, 2011) is a Ph.D. candidate in the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Her research focuses on mobile communication, health communication, and new media research.

Edmund W. J. Lee

Edmund W. J. Lee (M.A., Nanyang Technological University, 2014) is a Ph.D. candidate in the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information at Nanyang Technological University. His research focuses on the impact of new media on communication phenomenon in the contexts of health, science, and environmental sustainability.

Shirley S. Ho

Shirley S. Ho (Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2008) is an associate professor in the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information at Nanyang Technological University. Her research focuses on public opinion toward science, environmental, and health issues.