Framing Public Discussion of Gay Civil Unions

Abstract

Although the framing of public opinion has often been conceptualized as a collective and social process, experimental studies of framing have typically examined only individual, psychological responses to alternative message frames. In this research we employ for the first time group conversations as the unit of analysis (following Gamson 1992) in an experimental study of framing effects. Two hundred and thirty-five American citizens in 50 groups (17 homogeneously conservative groups, 15 homogeneously liberal groups, and 18 heterogeneous groups) discussed whether or not gay and lesbian partnerships should be legally recognized. Groups were randomly assigned to one of two framing conditions (a "homosexual marriage/ special rights" frame or a "civil union/equal rights" frame). Results indicated framing effects that were, in all cases, contingent on the ideological leanings of the group. The "marriage" frame tended to polarize group discussions along ideological lines. Both liberal and conservative groups appeared to find their opponents' frame more provocative, responding to them with a larger number of statements and expressing greater ambivalence than when reacting to more hospitable frames.

A Nationwide Study of Norwegian Beliefs About Same-sex Marriage and Lesbian and Gay Parenthood

“…Conversely, various groups argued that there had been insufficient research into the consequences for children following provisions for equal parenting rights for lesbian, gay and heterosexual couples in the new gender-neutral Marriage Law and that these had not received adequate consideration. A similar division of opinions and arguments between supporters and opponents have also been identified in the public debate in other countries where questions such as legal recognition of marriage and parenting rights for lesbian and gay couples have been on the political agenda, such as in the USA, France and Sweden (Eskridge 2001;Government Commission 2006;Pew Research Center 2009;Price et al 2005).…”

“…Supporters of equal rights for homosexuals and heterosexuals have traditionally emphasized a rights perspective, whilst opponents more often have invoked arguments in relation to religion or tradition to support their position (Herek 2006;Price et al 2005). In relation to equal parenting rights for lesbian, gay and heterosexual couples in Norway, opponents of such provisions in law have also adopted a children's rights perspective or the use of "rights" language.…”

Same-Sex Marriage in the Russian Media: Between Neutrality and Anxiety

“…При формировании новостных сооб-щений журналисты руководствуются как комментариями представителей групп интересов, так и определенными редакционными процедурами, в результате чего сообщение структурируется в соответствии с одним или более фреймами [Tuchman, 1978;Gitlin, 1980]. Доказано влияние фреймов, содержащихся в новостных со-общениях, на оценку аудиторией описываемого события [Berinsky, Kinder, 2006;Price et al, 2005].…”

“…Авторы ранних работ вы-деляют две доминирующих интерпретации гей-браков: фрейм морали и фрейм ра-венства [Brewer, 2002;Brewer, 2003;Price et al, 2005;Pan et al, 2010]. Ключевой ценностью для первого фрейма является традиционная мораль, подчеркивается угроза устоявшимся институтам брака и семьи.…”

Bending opinion: essays on persuasion in the public domain

“…Social constructionism deals with the interactive process in which individuals and groups actively construct social reality by means of a variety of information sources, such as the mass media (Neuman, Just and Crigler 1992;Price, Nir and Cappella 2005;Wicks 2005).…”