What is framing?

Framing is a term from social science and communication science. Frames are also known as "frames of interpretation" in German. There are frames in the language that suggest us how to interpret the contents. They set the framework for how we perceive statements or facts.

So writes about Elisabeth Wehling in her book "Political Framing - How a Nation Encourages Its Thought and Turns Politics into It", the following: "Frames have an ideologically selective character. They evaluate and interpret social and political conditions from a certain worldview. Once activated in our minds, they guide our thinking and actions. "

The fact that frames affect our actions has already been scientifically proven: the scientists Thibodeau and Boroditsky conducted an experiment at Stanford University that could prove the direct relationship between framing and decision-making. Two test groups were presented with two different texts. The substantive facts were identical in both texts. The difference lay in the metaphors used for the rising crime in a fictitious city, the framing. One text dealt with the "crime virus", the other dealt with the "crime predator" that runs through the city. This difference clearly affected the reactions of the subjects. Those who read about the virus opted primarily for social preventive measures, while recipients of the predator's text tended towards harsher punishments and more police to solve the problem.

Framing in practice

Frames are used deliberately in the political debate. If, for example, "wave of refugees"The speech is, then it is triggered the association with a force of nature. You have to protect yourself from a tidal wave. You have to build dams and barriers. The wave of refugees is often used by politically right-wingers, because the metaphor dehumanizes the topic. Frames are too happy to be taken over by the media consciously or unconsciously. For example, the "fading away of the stream of refugees" has been included in numerous headlines.

Another example of framing offers the topic Climate change, The term "change" glosses over the climate crisis as something that can change into the positive and the negative. Change is natural and not man-made by man. Just recently, the climate activist posted Greta Thunberg clear words: "It's 2019. Climate change, climate crisis, climate emergency, ecological breakdown, environmental crisis and ecological emergency? "

Words are more than just content. When framing, they also provide interpretation frameworks and imply proposals for action. And this is used by various groups and parties targeted. Therefore, it does not hurt to question words, metaphors, and terms on their frames - no matter who they come from. KB

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