Framing in the Media: How Labeling Affects Perception by Alexa Beck and Mollie Carlson

Framing in the Media: How Labeling Affects Perception by Alexa Beck and Mollie Carlson

Psychology

The media is often framed to purposefully influence their consumers’ perception and opinion, and in some cases empathy can be swayed by the frame and label presented. In the present study, the effects of framing and labeling on empathy were examined by testing participants levels of empathy after reading one of four short vignettes– each framed differently. Participants were given one of two frames: positive and negative; and had either identified or unidentified subject names. They were asked to rate their level of empathy towards the subject based upon the vignette they received. These results showed that subjects have higher empathy when the name of the celebrity was omitted from the vignette. Positive frames produced significantly higher empathy in comparison to the negatively framed vignettes. These findings speak to the importance of framing and labeling in regards to how individuals perceive the world, and how much control the media has on opinion and emotions.

Alexa Beck, Mollie Carlson

Senior Showcase Oral presentation

Ripon College

April 17, 2018

The authors reserve all rights.

pdf

Majors: Psychology, English (Mollie Carlson)
Marjors: Psychology, English (Alexa Beck)

South Elgin, Illinois (Mollie Carlson)
Elgin, Illinois (Alexa Beck)

Psychology Senior Seminar