Deck 8: Framing

Question 1

Write an essay exploring how immigration was framed by the Trump administration compared to how immigration has been framed by liberal and Democratic officials and opinion leaders.

Answer 1

Immigration has been a hotly debated topic in the United States for many years, and the framing of this issue has varied greatly depending on the political perspective of those discussing it. Under the Trump administration, immigration was often framed in a negative light, with a focus on border security, the need for a wall along the southern border, and the portrayal of immigrants as criminals and threats to national security. This framing was often used to justify harsh immigration policies, such as family separations and the Muslim travel ban.

On the other hand, liberal and Democratic officials and opinion leaders have framed immigration in a more positive light, emphasizing the contributions that immigrants make to the country, the need for comprehensive immigration reform, and the importance of providing a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. This framing often focuses on the humanitarian aspect of immigration, highlighting the stories of immigrants seeking a better life and the need to treat them with compassion and dignity.

The Trump administration's framing of immigration has been criticized for its fear-mongering and demonization of immigrants, while the liberal and Democratic framing has been praised for its emphasis on empathy and understanding. These differing perspectives have led to a deep divide in the country on how to address immigration, with each side advocating for vastly different policies and approaches.

In conclusion, the framing of immigration by the Trump administration has been largely negative and focused on security and enforcement, while liberal and Democratic officials and opinion leaders have framed immigration in a more positive light, emphasizing the need for compassion and reform. These differing perspectives have led to a contentious and ongoing debate about how to address immigration in the United States.

Question 2

Write an essay explaining the concept of framing, identifying the core characteristics of frames, and describing the various types of frames used in political communication.

Answer 2

Framing is a concept in communication and political science that refers to the way in which information is presented in order to shape the perception and understanding of an issue or event. It involves selecting and emphasizing certain aspects of a topic while downplaying or ignoring others, in order to influence how it is interpreted by the audience.

The core characteristics of frames include:

1. Selectivity: Frames involve selecting certain aspects of an issue to highlight, while ignoring or downplaying others. This selectivity shapes the audience's understanding of the issue.

2. Emphasis: Frames emphasize certain values, interpretations, or solutions to an issue, in order to guide the audience towards a particular understanding or response.

3. Interpretation: Frames provide a particular interpretation or narrative about an issue, shaping how it is understood and perceived by the audience.

In political communication, various types of frames are used to shape public opinion and influence political outcomes. Some common types of frames include:

1. Conflict frame: This frame presents an issue as a conflict between opposing forces, such as political parties or interest groups. It emphasizes the contentious nature of the issue and can influence the audience's perception of who is right or wrong.

2. Responsibility frame: This frame assigns blame or responsibility for an issue to a particular individual, group, or institution. It can shape the audience's understanding of who is accountable for addressing the issue.

3. Morality frame: This frame presents an issue in terms of right and wrong, good and bad, or moral and immoral. It appeals to the audience's sense of ethics and can influence their support for certain policies or actions.

4. Economic frame: This frame emphasizes the economic implications of an issue, such as its impact on jobs, taxes, or the overall economy. It can shape the audience's understanding of the issue's importance and potential solutions.

5. Human interest frame: This frame focuses on the personal stories and experiences of individuals affected by an issue, in order to evoke empathy and emotional responses from the audience.

Overall, framing is a powerful tool in political communication, as it can shape public opinion, influence policy decisions, and ultimately impact the outcomes of political processes. By understanding the core characteristics of frames and the various types of frames used in political communication, individuals can become more critical consumers of information and better understand the ways in which their perceptions are shaped by framing techniques.

Question 3

The view that frames work by offering new arguments on behalf of a political viewpoint is known as which of the below?

A) Belief importance interpretation
B) Accessibility interpretation
C) Equivalence frame interpretation
D) Emphasis frame interpretation
E) Belief chance interpretation

Answer 3

Belief chance interpretation

Question 4

Which of the following is not one of the core characteristics of a fully developed frame?

A) Identified in-group
B) Problem definition
C) Hypothesized cause
D) Moral evaluation
E) Proposed remedy

Question 5

Which of the following is an accurate description of framing?

A) While agenda-setting examines whether we think about an issue, framing explores how we think about it.
B) Framing is selecting and highlighting some facets of events or issues and making connections among them so as to promote a particular interpretation.
C) Frames are the rhetorical devices that make linkages among concepts, connecting the dots and building critical associations.
D) A frame is a primary organizing theme or narrative that gives meaning to, and connects, a series of events.
E) All of the above are accurate descriptions of framing