For or against it? Public opinion on international trade, news framing, and pre-existing schemas

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2015

Abstract

A significant amount of scholarship has investigated the framing effects on audience cognitive and attitudinal change, and some others focused on moderating effects of individual differences on message frames. This study not only combines these focal areas, but also extends the research to the arena of international trade within competitive framing contexts. This research explores whether news coverage of international trade programs, by focusing on pro-trade versus anti-trade characters as well as loss vs. gain frames (negativity bias), has any effect on public input into specific foreign trade projects. In addition, the study also examines whether individual perceptions of international trade projects are influenced by pre-existing schemas, and whether the framing effects are limited or mediated by individual's pre-existing beliefs about free trade. Our experimental study finds prevalence of framing effects in terms of pro/anit-trade manner but not in the gain/loss context. Analysis shows that individual pre-existing schemas about free trade and international trade have huge effects on audience perceptions of international trade projects, but without any mediating effects.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

American Communication Journal

First Page

53

Last Page

69

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