Jennifer Marohasy

a forum for the discussion of issues concerning the natural environment

Framing Science

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Research suggests frames are a key influence in shaping people’s response to science and technology.  But there is no agreement on who should be allowed to do the official framing. Read more here.

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  1. Helen Mahar says

    Framing is a marketing tool, intended to persuade. It says a lot about the intent, the values and the assumptions of the framers.

    However, as a related sidetrack, I would like to draw something from the following – it may be that the framers of political policies are so into their own assumptions that they are missing important things about what really makes large sections of society tick.

    http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article6591250.ece

    The above survey found that envy is not a driving political force for many. Most tolerate, even admire, the wealthy. This tolerance is based on a belief that the wealthy somehow deserve their incomes, having worked hard or through being exceptionally talented. Plus a second belief that society is sufficiently mobile to enable the talented and industrious to prosper. These assumptions make for relatively stable, contented societies.

    When the wealthy or powerful are shown up as corrupt, these comfortable beliefs are shattered, and people become very angry. Their view of their society becomes untenable.

    I can relate to a lot of this. Once you have to question people of status or authority, you start to question what they stand for. How many skeptics have been created this way?

    The framers, those who would control public understanding and political decisions with marketing tricks and PR, need to be very careful, as do those who join them. Once there is good reason to question the framers, what they stand for WILL be questioned too.