The Moderating Role of Emotion: The Combinatory Effects of Positive Emotion and News Framing Techniques on Climate Change Attitudes

Based on mood management theory and the broaden-and-build theory, this study examines whether an individual's emotional state influences the persuasive efficacy of climate change news framing techniques. To test our hypothesis, we conducted a 2 (Message Framing: thematic vs. episodic) x 2 (Emotion: positive vs. control) between-subjects factorial design experiment. Results indicate that episodically framed messages significantly decrease news believability and risk perception for people in a positive emotional state. News believability and risk perception positively mediated the effects of emotion and message frame on policy support and behavioral intention.

Automated summary

This study found that individuals in a positive emotional state are less likely to believe in and perceive risks in climate change news framed episodically, which also positively impacts policy support and behavioral intention.