William Evans

We propose that cultural cognitive models of evolution knowledge vary and influence emotional resistance to evolution education efforts in different ways. Neuropsychological studies suggest that strong emotion, whether positive or negative, catalyzes memory, and education efforts might be more successful if they promote emotional response. One effort to diversity the approach to confronting such resistance is the “Rap Guide to Evolution” (RGE), a multimedia hip-hop play that incorporates rap and stand-up comedy and endeavors to communicate themes of evolution in an accessible and entertaining manner. Although the show’s impact has been assessed anecdotally, empirical data are lacking. To address this deficit, we investigated RGE influences on emotions, knowledge, and attitudes among two college student samples. The first (n = 23) entailed a non-random sample to refine the research design, whereas the second (n = 44) comprised research pool subjects randomly assigned to one of several conditions. Knowledge and attitudes were measured using a pre-posttest-retention administration of the Evolution Attitudes and Literacy Survey with regard to four experimental conditions—controlled and uncontrolled live RGE performances, a video RGE performance, and a video lecture by an academic evolution expert. Emotional valence during conditions was assessed via electrical skin conductance. Preliminary analysis suggests the live performance produces the greatest influence and elicits a significant effect of emotion with regard to change in misconceptions about evolution (F1,14 = 4.98, p = 0.04). A multi-site expansion of this project and the development of cultural models to test the role of variability will be discussed.