This article presents a computational framework for understanding how media
information about environmental problems influences cognition, emotion, an
d behaviour. The theoretical assumptions are formally specified and impleme
nted in the computer model ITERA (Intuitive Thinking in Environmental Risk
Appraisal) using a constraint satisfaction network.
The model makes predictions about the cognitive evaluation of environmental
problems, about the development of distinct emotions (anger and sadness),
and about the resulting action tendencies. In addition, the model describes
how cognitions and emotions interact in making judgements entailing cohere
nce biases. In three experiments (N = 258), we presented manipulated media
reports about environmental damages. The effects of three variables (knowle
dge about the riskiness of an action; higher goal of the actor; voluntarine
ss of the actor) were compared with the model's predictions. The empirical
data confirmed the predicted coherence effects for the cognitive appraisal.
Likewise, the model's predictions for anger corresponded well with the emp
irical results. Assumptions concerning sadness, however, were only partiall
y confirmed.