Abstract
In our experiment, we tested how exposure to a mock televised news segment, with a systematically manipulated emotional valence of voiceover, images and TV tickers (in the updating format) impacts viewers’ perception. Subjects (N=603) watched specially prepared professional video material which portrayed the story of a candidate for local mayor. Following exposure to the video, subjects assessed the politician in terms of competence, sociability, and morality.
Results showed that positive images improved the assessment of the politician, whereas negative images lowered it. In addition, unexpectedly, positive tickers led to a negative assessment, and negative ones led to more beneficial assessments. However, in a situation of inconsistency between the voiceover and information provided on visual add-ons, additional elements are apparently ignored, especially when they are negative and the narrative is positive. We then discuss the implications of these findings.
Results showed that positive images improved the assessment of the politician, whereas negative images lowered it. In addition, unexpectedly, positive tickers led to a negative assessment, and negative ones led to more beneficial assessments. However, in a situation of inconsistency between the voiceover and information provided on visual add-ons, additional elements are apparently ignored, especially when they are negative and the narrative is positive. We then discuss the implications of these findings.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e0231313 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | PLoS ONE |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 15 Apr 2020 |
Research Groups and Themes
- Memory
- Cognitive Science
- TeDCog
Keywords
- visual communication
- political communication
- public opinion
- media effects
- Emotions
- Vision
- Sensory perception
- elections
- communications
- mass media
- questionnaires
- research assessment