Citation

Joslyn MR, Haider-Markel DP. Polit. Commun. 2006; 23(1): 85-103.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10584600500477104

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Undoubtedly, framing political issues is an effective means of influencing the distribution of opinion. But while most studies have shown the effectiveness of alternative issue frames on opinion, they largely ignore the role of the messenger. Our research examines whether message content or messengers are more important in influencing opinion. Four experimental conditions and a control were embedded in a statewide survey, allowing an explicit comparison between the impact of frames comprising message content alone and the same frames attributed to public figures identified with physician-assisted suicide.

RESULTS show that an attributed source is no more effective than content alone in influencing opinion on physician-assisted suicide and that the messenger might in fact reduce the intended influence of the message. We conclude with a discussion of our findings within the larger literature on political persuasion and attitude change. © 2006 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Language: en

Keywords

Public opinion; Framing; Messenger; Physician assisted suicide