A Clearer Picture: The Contribution of Visuals and Text to Framing Effects. (12th November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Powell, Thomas E.; Boomgaarden, Hajo G.; De Swert, Knut; de Vreese, Claes H.
• Is Part Of: Journal of communication. Volume 65:Number 6(2015:Dec.)
• Page Start: 997
• Page End: 1017
• Publication Date: 2015-11-12
• Subjects: Visual Framing -- Framing Effects -- Multimodal -- Image -- Text -- Emotion; Communication -- Periodicals; Communication and traffic -- Periodicals; Information theory -- Periodicals; Mass media -- Periodicals; 302.2
• DOI: 10.1111/jcom.12184
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9916

Abstract

Abstract : Visuals in news media help define, or frame issues, but less is known about how they influence opinions and behavior. The authors use an experiment to present image and text exemplars of frames from war and conflict news in isolation and in image–text congruent and incongruent pairs. Results show that, when presented alone, images generate stronger framing effects on opinions and behavioral intentions than text. When images and text are presented together, as in a typical news report, the frame carried by the text influences opinions regardless of the accompanying image, whereas the frame carried by the image drives behavioral intentions irrespective of the linked text. These effects are explained by the salience enhancing and emotional consequences of visuals.