Koko creates good karma: Using effective materials creates positive attitudes towards animal cognition and environmental conservation

Previous research has not adequately addressed effective tools for enhancing positive attitudes towards animal cognition and environmental conservation. Thus, the goal of the current study was to examine whether exposure to materials documenting cognitive abilities and environmental impacts results in more favorable attitudes than traditional materials. 25 non-traditional students were randomly assigned to one of two conditions. After completing demographic questions and items assessing social desirability, students in the experimental condition viewed a video depicting Koko the gorilla and environmental impacts whereas students in the control condition viewed a video showing a variety of nature scenes. Following the video, participants completed a measure of attitudes towards animal cognition and environmental conservation. Results indicate that even after controlling for social desirability, there was a difference in attitudes, F(1, 22) = 5.49, p = .03, such that students in the experimental condition reported more favorable attitudes than students in the control condition.