Table 1 Overview of categories and concepts mentioned by participants (n per sub-sample).
From: The social resonance of environmental media messages: a connectionist-inspired reception analysis
Categories | Minia n = 360 | Advo a n = 360 | Contaa n = 360 | Drhta n = 360 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pro-environment | When the idea is expressed that reuse is good for the environment; less damaging, eco-friendly, environment-friendly, less polluting, ecological | 64 | 75 | 80 | 76 |
No problem | When the idea is expressed of not seeing a problem; when the idea is perceived as a logical solution for a (future) problem; trustworthy, and worth a try | 53 | 48 | 69 | 54 |
Sustainability | When reuse is associated with sustainability; it is linked to a circular economy, circular uses and applications, recycling | 50 | 46 | 16.4 | 58 |
Doubts | When questions and critical observations are raised that express scepticism, hesitation, reluctance, caution (because of insufficient information) | 44 | 58 | 62 | 45 |
Water saving | When the idea is expressed that this can be a water-saving measure, but not using more abstract notions such as circularity or sustainability | 44 | 44 | 57 | 49 |
Appreciation | When the idea is expressed that this is a useful and sound idea or plan; with substantial benefits for (future) society and generations | 42 | 46 | 53 | 50 |
Urgency | When the idea is expressed that this innovation is urgent, necessary in view of the future; that there is no escape from, that we have no choice | 30 | 30 | 30 | 23 |
Pollutants | When referring to specific contaminants or residues; when the idea is expressed that the water is not clean or that it is still wastewater/sewage | 40 | 53 | 47 | 46 |
Control | When mentioning the importance of reliable controls; the need for trust in institutions that monitor and certify the water quality; the need for transparent communication | 38 | 46 | 65 | 58 |
Health concerns | When concerns about health risks are expressed, such as diseases, infections, hygiene issues, viruses, contamination, cancer | 36 | 44 | 39 | 41 |
Ecological | When the association is made with ecological (green) thinking and policy, environmentally responsible behaviour (usually by calling it ecological or eco) | 34 | 47 | 34 | 34 |
Equivalence | When treated wastewater is compared to other water and water reuse measures and found to be as good or as bad, and sometimes even better | 34 | 28 | 24 | 35 |
Repulsion | When disgust and repulsion are expressed; by referring to faeces, stench, vomit, rats, and sewer; by dismissing the idea as awkward, dirty, nasty, and unhygienic | 34 | 39 | 40 | 30 |
Innovation | When the association is made with science and technology, scientific research and innovation, novelty, progress; smart, intelligent, and original interventions | 26 | 27 | 39 | 51 |
NA | When the answer in any one of the 5 answering boxes is ‘nothing’, ‘no idea’, ‘nothing special’, ‘don’t know’, or not a single idea is expressed (all boxes blank) | 39 | 30 | 23 | 28 |
Total number of concepts | 989 | 1078 | 1106 | 1084 |
