Abstract
Integrative complexity is a measure of the intellectual style used by individuals or groups in processing information, problem-solving, and decision making. Research generally shows that integratively complex thinkers are better able to reach mutually advantageous solutions to complex problems, although they may also be less likely to act when necessary. A substantial portion of the published research on integrative complexity comes from political scientists who have focused on examining linguistic distinctions across the liberal-conservative political spectrum. In this research, we assessed integrative complexity in a sample of news stories concerning natural disasters (hurricanes, wildfires and floods) from three television news networks that span the liberal-conservative spectrum. The results showed that the news coverage of the network considered to be more liberal in its reporting scored significantly higher in integrative complexity than the news coverage of the more conservative network. These findings align with previous research that has used integrative complexity as a dependent measure. We discuss the practical implications of these findings as they relate to the quality of decisions made by relevant officials that typically precedes and follows large-scale natural disasters.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.