These are effects on memory processes, the extent of a person’s knowledge, their understanding of contexts or how they process information about the story. Improving the reception of media articles can lead to a better processing of the content or a better understanding of certain types of content.

Effects on attitudes refers to an effect on the evaluations that a person makes about a topic/object, content or person. Evaluations can be formed by the reception of a story, but they can also be detached from the narrower context of the story (e.g., in that new insights from the story are transferred to other contexts). The media articles stimulate an evaluation of the narrative. This in turn can lead to a reflection of existing beliefs, opinions and attitudes on sustainability issues. In the process new and changed convictions, opinions and attitudes emerge (e.g. electric cars are not a solution because they pollute the environment too much). And, for example, individuals can develop their own solutions or formulate demands as to how problems in the area of sustainability can be overcome.

Media articles result in emotional reactions, such as outrage, disgust, joy, sadness, confusion or dismay.

The content of the media articles can act as an impetus to rethink or change one’s own behavior or actions, for example, a greater willingness to buy goods without packaging. Individuals could also resolve to spend more money on food or to buy fewer consumer goods overall. A positive influence on the behavioral intentions of recipients can be provided by solutions for non-sustainable lifestyles formulated in the context of sus-telling. The intentions can, but need not, be directed towards change in the desired “more sustainable” direction.

People who are exposed to a narrative may change their actual behavior after the reception, that is, they may buy less food with unnecessary packaging, attend or organize demonstrations for change in the food industry or organize informational events.

Stories can have a positive or negative effect on an individual’s physiology, for example, their hormone levels. That is, blood glucose levels may decrease or cortisol levels may change.

Complex effects is a mixed category of effects, which cannot be clearly assigned to one or the other category, as they contain cognitive, attitudinal and/or emotional effects.