Do Competing Arguments Promote Anxiety?

• In Event: Media-Based Drivers and Consequences of Protests

Abstract

Emotions play an important role in explaining why framing affects attitudes and behaviors about issues of race and ethnicity. Yet, our knowledge is limited regarding which frames are more effective relative to others in encouraging Black Lives Matter (BLM) engagement and what psychological mechanisms occur after receiving frames. Using a survey experiment, the current study tests how single and competing frames trigger discrete positive or negative emotions that influence information processing and participation in BLM. I also test how previous attitudes related to BLM moderate emotional reactions, information processing, and participation. Participants are exposed to one of four preestablished frames: control, single Pro-BLM frame, single Con-BLM frame, and competing frame. I expect that a single frame and a competing frame will boost discrete emotions depending on the prior support for BLM, and these emotions will determine the types of actions and information searches about BLM.

Author

• Seoungin Choi, Mount St. Mary's University LA