The Influence of Visual Frame Combinations in Solutions Journalism Stories

  • Jennifer Midberry
  • , Danielle K. Brown
  • , Robert F. Potter
  • , Ryan N. Comfort

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study investigated how visual framing influences discrete emotional responses, empathy, behavioral intentions, and efficacy in reaction to visual solutions journalism. A 2 (story topic: drug addiction, homelessness) × 4 (visual frame condition: no photo, solution-only, problem-only, combination) mixed design experiment revealed that images showing only social problems elicited the lowest levels of compassion in viewers, challenging long-held assumptions about the utility of social problem imagery. Image pairs showing both problems and solutions were revealed to be effective at eliciting moderate levels of emotional response, including hope, compassion, and empathy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)230-252
Number of pages23
JournalJournalism and Mass Communication Quarterly
Volume101
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2024

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: I actually did receive a $2,000 grant from the Indiana University Center of Excellence for Women in Technology that supported this project.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 AEJMC.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

  • addiction
  • homelessness
  • photojournalism
  • solutions journalism
  • visual framing

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