Equivalence framing and its effects on truth judgments: evidence from China

Abstract

Recent research based on samples from Western countries has shown that the framing of information influences judgments of its truth, with negative framed statements perceived as more credible than formally equivalent positive framed statements. However, these findings may not apply to all Chinese residents because of China’s unique news contexts that adhere to positive reporting and a collectivist culture. Although the equivalence framing also affects people’s judgment of the truth of the information in China, it differs from people in Western countries. Chinese people believe statements with positive framed statements are more credible than statements with formally equivalent negative frames. They are more likely to associate positive information with news and show no obvious reactance to the persuasive intention perceived from positive framed statements. In addition, exposure to information from non-official media is changing this particular outcome, and people with frequent access to non-official media show similar responses to those in the West along these paths.