Attitudinal impact and cognitive channelling of immigration stereotypes through the news

Abstract

Introduction: Based on research on the framing effect and research on the treatment of immigration, the processes of reception and impact of news about crime are analyzed. Method: We conducted two experimental investigations in which participants were exposed to a news story and later filled in a questionnaire with self-report scales. Two independent variables were manipulated: the mention of protagonists' national/ geographic origin in the news story and the involvement with the topic. Results: The study indicates that when the involvement with the news story is low, the presence of information about the nationality of the protagonist exerted an indirect effect through attitudinal impact. However, when involvement is high, the indirect effect is explained by the activation of trains of thought which influence the formation and/or reinforcement of negative beliefs about immigration. Conclusions: The results are consistent with a dual model of news framing effects and reinforce the recommendations made by some organisations about not reporting the nationality of the protagonists of a criminal act in news programmes.

The Effects of Anti-Immigrant Right-Wing Populist Ads on Implicit and Explicit Attitudes: A Moderated Mediation Model

“…Given that these portrayals of immigrants are overwhelmingly negatively biased, exposure to these political posters is likely to perpetuate stereotypic attitudes toward foreigners. Although numerous studies support the idea that negatively biased news coverage enhances negative attitudes toward ethnic minorities (e.g., Igartua, 2013), the effects of right-wing populist political posters on people's attitudes toward immigrants and ethnic minorities have so far not sufficiently been studied.…”

“…Although these anti-immigrant populist poster ads may have damaging implications for democracy and processes of integration, little research has been done on their effects. In most research available to date, scholars examined the news coverage of minorities as an important cause of negative attitudes (e.g., Boomgaarden & de Vreese, 2007;Boomgaarden & Vliegenthart, 2007;Igartua, 2013;Igartua & Cheng, 2009;Igartua, Moral-Toranzo, & Fernández, 2011;Schemer, 2012Schemer, , 2014. For instance, news content analysis has revealed that immigrants are mostly depicted in a negative context and are associated with negative issues, such as crime or terrorism (Dixon & Linz, 2000).…”

“…These unfavorable portrayals, in turn, have the potential to increase negative racial attitudes in the audience. Experiments have shown that news coverage triggering anxiety about the costs of immigration may induce negative attitudes in the public (Dixon, 2008; Gilliam & Iyengar, 2000; Igartua, 2013; Igartua & Cheng, 2009; Igartua et al, 2011). Although these studies have remarkably enhanced our understanding of negative attitudes toward foreigners, there are at least four important research gaps.…”

Persuading with Narratives Against Gender Violence. Effect of Similarity with the Protagonist on Identification and Risk-Perception

“…With respect to the practical implications of the results of our study, and in relation to the development of campaigns for raising awareness of gender violence, it would be advisable to work with narratives in which the nationality of the protagonist is not indicated (or shown indirectly), as this can condition the effectiveness of the message (see, Igartua, 2013, where experimental evidence is provided on the attitudinal impact of crime news that alludes to the nationality of offenders). Campaigns designed to raise awareness of gender violence that feature protagonists who are immigrants (as a stigmatized out-group) could reinforce stereotypes about the link between immigration and gender violence, and thus have a pernicious effect, instead of contributing to the eradication of gender violence.…”

Efek Bingkai Hasil Survei Berita Online Terhadap Heuristik Individu

“…As an independent variable, frame is understood as a part of accentuated news text, which is capable of affecting the reception process and has an effect on the users. This is the part that is often studied in relation to the framing effect (Igartua, 2013;Borah, 2011), including this article. News framing may influence a person's mind (in their cognitive response) and it may influence their perceptions and beliefs concerning issues discussed within a particular news, which ultimately may lead to changes in behavior and belief.…”