AI-powered Chatbots: Effective Communication Styles for Sustainable Development Goals

TL;DR

This paper analyzes how different communication styles, specifically Motivational Interviewing and Directing Style, influence engagement and awareness in discussions about Sustainable Development Goals through experimental studies.

Contribution

It provides empirical evidence on the effectiveness of Motivational Interviewing over Directing Style in engaging participants on sustainability topics.

Findings

Motivational Interviewing increases engagement and interest.

No significant difference in learning outcomes between styles.

Empirical comparison of communication styles for SDG discussions.

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of two pre-registered experimental studies examining the impact of `Motivational Interviewing' and `Directing Style' on discussions about Sustainable Development Goals. To evaluate the effectiveness of these communication styles in enhancing awareness and motivating action toward the Sustainable Development Goals, we measured the engagement levels of participants, along with their self-reported interest and learning outcomes. Our results indicate that `Motivational Interviewing' is more effective than `Directing Style' for engagement and interest, while no appreciable difference is found on learning.