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News coverage on terrorism : the influence of affect-laden images on information processing

Bruhn, D.C. (2009) News coverage on terrorism : the influence of affect-laden images on information processing.

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Abstract:The goal of the present study was to investigate the question whether effective cognitive functioning and processing of the information provided in the news is possible, when the presented information is accompanied by images of terrorist attacks, threats or propaganda. In more scientific terms, it should be asked which effect images that evoke negative affect such as fear or anxiety have on peoples' cognitive capacities. This appears to be a relevant question since it has been established that mass media have advanced into most psychological lives in the sense that both media news and stories have an effect on people’s risk perception. A 2x2 between-subjects design, with the two explanatory factors image and delivery mode with the levels threatening vs. confidence-inspiring and dynamic vs. static, respectively, was chosen to design an online survey containing an experimental manipulation. Survey participants (n = 106) were randomly assigned to one of the four conditions. Analyses yielded significant results regarding the effect of the delivery mode of the image on cognitive functioning and a moderately significant negative correlation between negative affect and effective information processing. Future research that resolves the study’s limitations has to be conducted in order to learn more about the obtained results..
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology BSc (56604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/59347
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