Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

Spring 5-2021

Faculty Advisor(s)

C. Ann Gordon

Abstract

In this paper we will examine how media framing and how certain types of frames influence support for immigrants in the United States. I examine how likely a potential voter is to support immigrants and immigrant policies based on the information they are presented in the media, paying special attention to the use of equivalency frames, policy frames, episodic and thematic frames. The influence these frames have varies, depending on how they are used and what specific groups they target. It was also discovered that political ideology and location does influence the support or opposition for immigrants and immigrant issues. Relying on the Chapman University Survey of American Fears, a representative national sample of U.S. adults, I was able to observe how many U.S. adults have a fear of immigrants. This presents a possible correlation between the way immigrants and immigrants issues are presented in the media and the fear U.S. adults develop based on the media they are exposed to. As a result of this study we have found data that points to media framing as a significant influencer of American popular opinion on immigrants and immigrant issues. While there are a lot of factors that vary, immigration framing plays a very vital role when it comes to passing policies regarding immigrants.

Comments

Presented at the virtual Spring 2021 Student Scholar Symposium at Chapman University.

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