BJPOLS_Avdagic & Savage.pdf (1.52 MB)
Negativity bias: the impact of framing of immigration on welfare state support in Germany, Sweden and the UK
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 18:05 authored by Sabina Avdagic, Lee SavageHow does the framing of immigration influence support for the welfare state? Drawing on research from psychology, specifically the notion of negativity bias and the sequencing of negative and positive information, this article argues that negative immigration frames undermine welfare support, while positive frames have little or no effect. Individuals take less notice of positive frames, and the effect of such frames is further undermined by the previous exposure to negative frames, which tend to stick longer in people's minds. The findings, based on survey experiments on over 9,000 individuals in Germany, Sweden and the UK, show that negative framing of immigration has a strong and pervasive effect on support for welfare. The article also finds some evidence that this effect is further amplified for people who hold anti-immigrant and anti-welfare attitudes or feel economically insecure. The effect of positive framing is considerably weaker and does not strengthen welfare support in any of the three countries.
Funding
Does the framing of immigration affect individual support for redistribution?; G1941; BRITISH ACADEMY; SG161954
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
British Journal of Political ScienceISSN
0007-1234Publisher
Cambridge University PressExternal DOI
Volume
0Page range
1-22Department affiliated with
- Politics Publications
Research groups affiliated with
- Sussex European Institute Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2019-06-17First Open Access (FOA) Date
2019-06-17First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2019-06-17Usage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedLicence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC