An Investigation of Competitive and Non-competitive Framing Effects: Interpreting the Relationship Between Elite Rhetoric and Support for Preventive War

Abstract

ABSTRACT AN INVESTIGATION OF COMPETITIVE AND NON-COMPETITIVE FRAMING EFFECTS: INTERPRETING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ELITE RHETORIC AND SUPPORT FOR PREVENTIVE WAR by Jeffrey Guse The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Under the Supervision of Professor Steven B. Redd This dissertation examines how competitive and non-competitive framing environments influence public opinion towards the use of preventive force. I attempt to develop a theory that helps to explain which factors are responsible for influencing public opinion for those who possess strong predispositions towards or against the use of force in contrast to those who possess weak predispositions towards or against the use of force. I test predictions based on my theory in two empirical chapters: a media content analysis and a laboratory experiment. The media content analysis allows me to test whether there is a significant difference between those who are exposed to non-competitive and competitive framing environments from those who are not exposed to them. The experimental chapter will allow me to test how framing effects work, in particular whether or not those who possess strong predispositions are likely to be influenced by frames that correspond to preconceived values and whether those who possess weak predispositions are likely to be influence by frames based on the credibility of the source. In addition, this chapter will examine how these factors hold in both competitive and non-competitive framing environments.