Citation

Kearns EM, Young JK. Crime Delinq. 2018; 64(12): 1568-1589.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0011128717738230

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Since 9/11, entertainment media has focused on depictions of terrorism and counterterrorism. How do dramatic depictions of counterterrorism practices--specifically torture--affect public opinion and policy? Using a mixed within-subjects and between-subjects experimental design, we examine how framing affects support for torture. Participants (n = 150) were randomly assigned to a condition for dramatic depictions showing torture as (a) effective, (b) ineffective, or (c) not present (control). Participants who saw torture as effective increased their stated support for it. Participants who saw torture--regardless of whether or not it was effective--were more likely to sign a petition on torture. We discuss the policy implications of our findings on how framing affects opinion and action regarding torture.

Language: en