Worth more than 1000 words: how photographs can bolster viewers’ valuing of biodiversity

Summary For many, declining biodiversity represents an emotionally and psychologically distant ‘cost’ – similar to how a number of people perceive climate change. Using expectancy-value theory framework, we showed participants photographs that visibly illustrated the threat loss. Specifically, tested combination preregistered exploratory hypotheses through online experiment (n = 843) understand whether viewing plants animals (with without captions) bolstered people’s valuing willingness donate nature-focused charity relative control group. Participants who viewed (without valued more donated charity; those with captions though muted (non-statistically significant) effects. Follow-up mediation analyses on photographs-only suggested may have catalysed negative emotions increased and, in turn, donations. This study provides evidence thoughtfully selected boost pathway which might occur is likely via than reduced psychological distance. Educators, conservationists, journalists others find these results informative as they develop strategies for addressing acute problem