Framing Effects Research Articles

Gender difference in leaders framed with responsibility or authority: An experimental study

The underrepresentation of women in top leadership positions may result in a potential loss in efficiency. In this study, we examine gender differences in leadership emergence and efficiency when a leadership task is framed as authority or responsibility. In a public good game, the group leader is entitled to punish low contributors among the group members in order to increase the group welfare. The experimental design includes a basic treatment—framing the leader's task as authority or responsibility—in occasions where group leaders emerge through self-promotion or voting. We find a more pronounced framing effect among females compared to males. Although women are generally less willing and less voted to lead than men, the responsibility framing enhances female leaders' effectiveness to a larger extent than male leaders': they contribute more to the public good, and are more inclined to punish low contributors when they are voted as leaders. Therefore, when leadership tasks emphasize responsibility, female leaders could enhance social welfare in the provision of public goods.

Framing effects from misleading implicatures: an empirically based case against some purported nudges

Some bioethicists argue that a doctor may frame treatment options in terms of effects on survival rather than on mortality in order to influence patients to choose the better option....

Euphemism as a powerful framing device that influences moral judgments and punitive responses after wrongdoing.

Euphemism-that is, softening words or phrases substituted for more direct language-has become pervasive in our everyday personal and professional lives. Leveraging theory and research on construal and framing effects, we conceptualize euphemism as a linguistic framing device that influences how observers construe situations and the people, groups, objects, and events within them. We then experimentally investigate the effects of euphemism as a linguistic framing device on third-party judgments about moral transgressions (i.e., bribery, fraud). Across studies (total N = 3,081) we find consistent evidence that employing euphemistic labels (relative to their noneuphemistic analogs) reduces the perceived severity of moral transgressions and, as a result, also reduces third-party motivations to punish transgressors. Overt experimental manipulations to reconstrue euphemistic labels into their noneuphemistic forms reduced, but did not entirely eliminate, the effects on moral severity and punishment judgments. Participants did not sufficiently adjust their judgments. These findings underscore the power of simple linguistic manipulations in influencing public opinion, and they have important implications for the possibility of creating a more just and fair society. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Constructing vaccination slogans in the late stage of vaccine launch: an experimental study based on the framing effect theory.

Vaccination is an important strategy for overcoming public health crises. Considerable studies have analyzed strategies to promote people's willingness to vaccinate, but few have explored effective strategies based on the stage of vaccine launch. This study considered the framing effect theory to explore whether egoism, altruism and loss frames can boost vaccination willingness when people feel the vaccine is effective in the late stage of vaccine launch. This study designed a scenario experiment consisting of three experimental groups (egoism, altruism and loss frames) and one control group (non-framed). Participants (N=1085) from China were randomly assigned to any of the four groups. Vaccination willingness, perceived vaccine effectiveness and control variables included perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, worry about the side effects of vaccination and socio-demographics were collected. Perceived vaccine effectiveness and message frames can increase people's willingness to be vaccinated. Message frames can amplify the positive impact of perceived effectiveness on vaccination willingness. Moreover, loss-framed messages had a stronger amplification effect than egoistic- and altruistic-framed messages. Governments and other health authorities should prioritize the loss-framed approach when constructing vaccination slogans to maximize vaccination willingness when vaccines are considered effective at the late implementation stage of the vaccine strategy.

Quitting on TikTok: Effects of Message Themes, Frames, and Sources on Engagement with Vaping Cessation Videos

This study examined how message themes, frames, and sources in vaping cessation videos on TikTok influenced positive (i.e. likes, shares, positive comments regarding quitting vaping) and negative video engagement (i.e. negative comments regarding quitting vaping). TikTok videos (N = 412) with the hashtags #quitvaping and #quittingvaping were analyzed. Aspect-based sentiment analysis was conducted to evaluate the sentiment of quitting vaping in comments. Negative binomial regression models predicted video engagement from six message themes, ratios of gain and loss frames, and message sources. Themes related to nicotine addiction and physical health effectively drove positive engagement, such as likes and shares. The theme of harmful chemicals elicited mixed responses, generating both positive and negative comments regarding quitting vaping. Videos with a higher ratio of gain frames led to more positive engagement, including likes, shares, and positive comments regarding quitting vaping. Sources with informal expertise (e.g. those who have successfully quit vaping) and current e-cigarette users were more effective in engaging the TikTok audience than non-expert and non-user sources. These findings provide insights into messaging strategies that can effectively engage TikTok audiences and encourage vaping cessation.

Saving the world voluntarily: Experimental evidence of gain-loss framing on voluntary pro-environmental behavior

Empirical research shows that loss framing appears to be a promising tool to promote pro-environmental behavior. However, only a limited amount of experimental research has examined the effect of loss framing on actual behavior. Here, we use a variation of the Work for Environmental Protection Task (Lange & Dewitte, 2022) to study voluntary pro-environmental behavior. In an online experiment (N = 897), we find a trend of higher working efforts in the LOSS frame. However, this effect is small and marginally statistically significant. Interestingly, as explorative analyses suggest, the effect of loss framing is consistent for people with low and high intrinsic values to protect the environment.

Of two minds: an experiment on how time scarcity shapes risk-taking behaviour

ABSTRACT Several studies report that the brain evaluates prospects and executes decisions as the outcome of two types of mental processes: one described as slow and reflective and the other as fast and intuitive. We investigate how these two mental processes affect risk-taking behaviour in a one-shot decision by using time pressure to establish an intuitive response. We observe that time constraints do not change risk attitudes. Furthermore, it is only when subjects are given ample time to decide and instructed to reflect that they show the well-documented shift of risk preferences across the domain of losses and gains. Our results suggest that framing effects are the result of cognitive processes that become operative when individuals are granted sufficient time to undertake a more comprehensive analysis of decision tasks.

Vaccinating for My Family or for My Community? The Effect of Message Framing on Parental Intention to Vaccinate during the COVID Pandemic.

Social media is one of the major platforms for disseminating essential health messages. The present study examined the effect of message framing (self-interest motive, prosocial motive) on an online platform for parental intention to vaccinate against COVID-19. It also examined how the effect may vary across participants' levels of parental identity centrality/salience and community orientation before the vaccine was officially available. Six hundred and sixty-three Hong Kong Chinese parents were recruited, and a total of 278 valid responses were retained in the analyses. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the three conditions: self-interest motive, prosocial motive, and control. Participants in the self-interest motive condition and the prosocial motive condition read a condition-specific message about the COVID-19 vaccine. Then, they reported their levels of intention to vaccinate against COVID-19, including parent-vaccination, child-vaccination, and medical information-seeking. A significant group effect on child-vaccination was found. Participants in the self-interest motive condition reported a higher intention to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 compared with the other two conditions. Results of moderation analyses indicated that communal orientation moderated the effect of a self-interest-motive-emphasized message on parental intention to vaccinate against COVID-19. The effect of a self-interest-motive-emphasized message appeared to be stronger on parent-vaccination, child-vaccination, and medical information-seeking among parents who reported lower levels of communal orientation. These findings provided some initial evidence of the effectiveness of message-framing in promoting parents' intention to vaccinate their children on online platforms.

Dynamic Norms and Vaping: A Test of Four Mediators

Background: The prevalence of vaping among young people is a public health crisis. Social norms can contribute to the problem, but also to the solution. Objective: The current study examined young adults’ responses to anti-vaping messages that varied on two features: social norms and behavioral framing. Methods: College students (N = 270) were randomly assigned to one of five conditions in a 2 (social norm: dynamic norm, static norm) X 2 (behavioral framing: vaping, not vaping) between-subjects factorial design with a no message control condition (n range = 49–58 in each condition). Results: Independent samples t-test, univariate analysis of variance, and structural equation modeling were used to test hypotheses and answer research questions. Results showed main effects of social norm, such that the dynamic (vs. static) norm message led to higher preconformity (p <.001) and self-efficacy (p = .012), and lower freedom threat (p = .040) and reactance (p < .001). There was also an indirect effect of dynamic norm on attitude as mediated by self-efficacy (p = .040). No main effect of behavioral framing was observed. Few interactions between social norm and behavioral framing were observed on preconformity (p < .001), anger (p < .001), and negative cognitions (p = .003). Conclusion: Overall, findings suggest a persuasive advantage for a dynamic norm relative to a static norm. Theoretically, these findings add to the literature suggesting the persuasiveness of dynamic norms. Practically, these results imply anti-vaping campaigns targeting young populations should communicate the changing (dynamic) norms in regard to (not) vaping.

Social framing effects in leadership by example: Preferences or beliefs?

AbstractWe study the impact of framing on leading‐by‐example. Our 2 × 2 design consists of group level frames (Wall Street vs. Community) and individual level frames (First/Second Movers vs. Leader/Followers). We report on two studies where we elicit participants' beliefs allowing us to evaluate whether framing effects are driven by beliefs or preferences. Across both studies, average contributions are significantly lower in the Community—First Mover frame. This is primarily because leaders contribute less, pulling down followers' contributions. We find that contributions are strongly related to first order and second order beliefs but framing effects remain once we control for beliefs.

Heroes and Villains: Message Frames, Gender, and Meat Attachment as Predictors of Meat Reduction Intentions

ABSTRACT This exploratory study assessed the role of message framing for predicting future intentions to reduce meat consumption. Participants (n = 376) completed a questionnaire assessing eating habits and personal attachment to meat. Individuals were then randomly exposed to four separate framing conditions. Operationalized as Public Service Announcement-style advertisements, participants were informed of the inhumane conditions of the meat and dairy industry. These advertisements were tailored to examine the role of perceived gains (benefits of meat reduction) or losses (consequences of meat consumption) in one’s moral character. In addition to framing effects, variables such as gender and meat attachment were included to predict future meat reduction intentions. An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) indicated that meat attachment reduced intentions to curb meat consumption. Controlling for meat attachment, main effects were present for framing condition. Gender and gain frames interacted to positively predict dietary intentions following message exposure. Women exposed to gain frames were more likely than men to report intentions to reduce meat intake in favor of plant-based options. However, no gender difference was present for participants exposed to loss frames, which had no effect on eating intentions regardless of gender. The discussion highlights the role of both gender and meat-eating identity coupled with situational factors (i.e., message frames) for reducing meat intake. Such insights offer opportunities for key stakeholders, such as policymakers and animal welfare advocates, to leverage these effects for dietary change.

COVID-19 vaccine messaging for young adults: Examining framing, other-referencing, and health beliefs.

This study investigates the interaction between message framing and point-of-reference (self vs. others) for vaccine benefits on young adults' COVID-19 vaccine confidence and intentions. It also examines how COVID-19-related health beliefs-such as perceived severity of COVID-19 and perceived benefits of obtaining the vaccine to protect others-mediate these interactions. In a 2 (framing: gain vs. loss) × 3 (reference point: self, others, university community) between-subjects experiment (Fall 2021), 202 participants ages 18-23 were shown animated messages with embedded manipulations to convey vaccine information. Moderated mediation models tested the conditional indirect effects of framing on vaccine confidence and intentions. Reference point significantly moderated the effect of framing on the perceived severity of COVID-19. More specifically, and somewhat contrary to previous literature, perceived severity was highest when messages emphasized gains for others. In turn, perceived severity correlated positively with vaccine confidence and intentions, resulting in a significant conditional indirect effect. Despite its positive relationship with COVID-19 vaccine confidence and intentions, perceived benefit to others was not a significant mediator. This study provides evidence for the role of reference point in moderating the effect of gain-loss message framing on COVID-19 vaccine attitudes and intentions. However, the findings differ from past research, suggesting other-gain messages may be an optimal strategy for promoting these vaccine outcomes for young adults. Overall, findings have implications for developing tailored messaging strategies that account for the nature of targeted populations and the evolving perceptions of the disease and its associated messaging campaigns. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

A Motivation Perspective to Participation in Strategy Work in Organizations: A Field Experiment on the Effect of Framing

A Motivation Perspective to Participation in Strategy Work in Organizations: A Field Experiment on the Effect of Framing

From Warm Glow to Cold Chill: The Effect of Choice Framing on Donations

From Warm Glow to Cold Chill: The Effect of Choice Framing on Donations

Effects of environmental and sensory labelling on acceptability of plant-based products: Effects of energy density, context and framing

Effects of environmental and sensory labelling on acceptability of plant-based products: Effects of energy density, context and framing

Contribution of low-level motion to position shifts.

Motion can produce large changes in the apparent locations of briefly flashed tests presented on or near the motion. These motion-induced position shifts may have a variety of sources. They may be due to a frame effect where the moving pattern provides a frame of reference for the locations of events within it. The motion of the background may act through high-level mechanisms that track its explicit contours or the motion may act on position through the signals from low-level motion detectors. Here we isolate the contribution of low-level motion by eliminating explicit contours and trackable features. In this case, motion still supports a robust shift in probe locations with the shift being in the direction of the motion that follows the probe. Although robust, the magnitude of the shift in our first experiment is about 20% of the shift seen in a previous study with explicit frames and, in the second, about 45% of that found with explicit frames. Clearly, low-level motion alone can produce position shifts although the magnitude is much reduced compared to that seen when high-level mechanisms can contribute.

The role of emotions in climate change communication: Examining the effects of strategy and issue framing on emotional responses and online climate action intentions

The way in which climate change-related information is framed can influence not only cognitive outcomes but also emotional responses. This web-based experiment (n = 331) investigated the effects of strategy framing and issue framing on emotions and online climate action intentions in the context of climate relationship between China and the United States. Results indicated that strategy framing increased negative emotions (i.e., anxiety and anger), whereas issue framing triggered more positive emotions (i.e., pride and excitement). No significant difference was observed regarding climate action intentions between two groups. Additionally, anxiety and anger mediated the effects of message framing on online climate action intentions. Habitual worry about climate change and attitude toward China-U.S. climate collaboration moderated the effects of strategy framing and issue framing on discrete emotions. The findings offer theoretical insights regarding emotional responses to strategy framing and practical implications on climate communication.

The offer framing effect: a replication and extension

AbstractThe article by Mittelman et al. (2014, Journal of Consumer Research, 41(4):953–964) introduced the offer framing effect, suggesting that consumers exhibit greater variety-seeking behavior when selecting products sequentially (single offering) compared to choosing from bundles (bundled offering). The opposite was found by O’Donnell et al. (2023, Journal of Consumer Research, 49(5):861–881), resulting in opposing management implications. To clarify the direction of effect, we conducted four studies in two product categories and found evidence of a stronger preference for variety in bundled offering conditions (compared to single offering conditions), replicating O’Donnell et al.’s (2023) findings. However, utilizing logistic regression analyses, we identify product liking discrepancies as the primary driver of variety seeking. We further reveal that the offer framing effect is more distinctive for choices between products with prosocial attributes compared to hedonic attributes. Our findings provide valuable insights for marketers aiming to optimize product bundling strategies.

Association change and its relationship with designs in context and form: how product evaluation is affected by negative framings

This study explores the interplay between internal factors (e.g. personal values) and external factors (e.g. product framing and representation form) in shaping user perceptions, attitudes and behaviours towards products. A between-participants experiment (N = 52) was designed using deliberately an iconic product (Haribo gummy bears) to be presented either as image or a tangible item, as well as framed either positively or negatively. The aim is to examine the impact of these manipulated internal and external factors on users’ evaluations and their subsequent behaviour. The effects of framing, and markedly negative framing, were considerably larger than those of forms of representations, whose role was limited for the studied product. However, the effect of framing on evaluations is amplified after interacting with the real product. Despite its significance, negative product framing cannot change behaviour as much as user personal values. These insights suggest designers pay attention to how products are portrayed to potential users. Particular attention should be paid to aligning products with the personal values of the target users since this turned as the main determinant for product appreciation. Hence, this research urges designers to pay attention to the fact that products have to resonate with users so to enhance their acceptance.

The Impact of Investor Expectation on the Financial Decision-Making

Unlike traditional finance, behavioral finance challenges the traditional financial theory of investor rationality, emphasizing that investors are not absolutely rational in real life. This perspective provides new insights for understanding and predicting financial markets. This study examines core concepts in behavioral finance, such as loss aversion, market anomalies, momentum effects, reversal effects, endowment effects, and framing effects, and analyzes how they influence investors' financial decisions. These concepts highlight the significant role of human psychology and behavior in shaping financial decisions, thus aiding investors in making more rational choices in complex financial markets. Loss aversion, for instance, suggests that investors are more sensitive to losses than to gains, leading to suboptimal decision-making. Market anomalies, such as price bubbles and crashes, indicate that markets are not always efficient. Momentum effects suggest that past stock performance can predict future trends, while reversal effects point to the tendency of extreme stock performances to revert to the mean. The endowment effect reveals that individuals value their own possessions more highly than similar items they do not own. Lastly, framing effects demonstrate how the presentation of information can influence decision-making. Future research can delve deeper into how the framing effect can be harnessed to improve the design and marketing strategies of financial products, thereby enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of investment decisions. This exploration could lead to more sophisticated financial products and better-informed investors, ultimately contributing to a more stable and efficient financial market.