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How a shift in focus of news coverage content can affect the safety perception and optimism of the public.

Schoonbrood, Arnanto LU (2018) PSYP01 20181
Department of Psychology
Abstract
The main aim of the present study was to provide a deeper insight into the collateral consequences of news coverage. More specifically, how the interaction of valence (positive vs. negative) and proximity (domestic vs. foreign) impacts the perceived safety and optimism of the public. One hundred and seventy-four Dutch participants were randomly assigned to one of five conditions (neutral news, positive domestic news, negative domestic news, positive foreign news, and negative foreign news), after which they completed two questionnaires (Safety Rating Scale and Life Orientation Test Revised). Some minor trends were found in terms of valence influencing the perceived safety and optimism as expected (positive news creating higher perceived... (More)
The main aim of the present study was to provide a deeper insight into the collateral consequences of news coverage. More specifically, how the interaction of valence (positive vs. negative) and proximity (domestic vs. foreign) impacts the perceived safety and optimism of the public. One hundred and seventy-four Dutch participants were randomly assigned to one of five conditions (neutral news, positive domestic news, negative domestic news, positive foreign news, and negative foreign news), after which they completed two questionnaires (Safety Rating Scale and Life Orientation Test Revised). Some minor trends were found in terms of valence influencing the perceived safety and optimism as expected (positive news creating higher perceived safety and optimism scores and negative news doing the opposite), while the trends for proximity were more intricate. The only statistically significant results materialised in female participants having a significant lower sense of perceived safety than male participants and young adults having a significant lower level of optimism than middle adults. Most likely due to the limited manipulation, there were limited results. Nonetheless, this study can and should be used as a stepping-stone for future studies. Limitations, positives, and recommendations for future research are discussed. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Schoonbrood, Arnanto LU
supervisor
organization
course
PSYP01 20181
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
media psychology, media influence, news focus, safety perception, optimism
language
English
id
8937738
date added to LUP
2018-05-09 12:13:17
date last changed
2018-05-09 12:13:17
@misc{8937738,
  abstract     = {{The main aim of the present study was to provide a deeper insight into the collateral consequences of news coverage. More specifically, how the interaction of valence (positive vs. negative) and proximity (domestic vs. foreign) impacts the perceived safety and optimism of the public. One hundred and seventy-four Dutch participants were randomly assigned to one of five conditions (neutral news, positive domestic news, negative domestic news, positive foreign news, and negative foreign news), after which they completed two questionnaires (Safety Rating Scale and Life Orientation Test Revised). Some minor trends were found in terms of valence influencing the perceived safety and optimism as expected (positive news creating higher perceived safety and optimism scores and negative news doing the opposite), while the trends for proximity were more intricate. The only statistically significant results materialised in female participants having a significant lower sense of perceived safety than male participants and young adults having a significant lower level of optimism than middle adults. Most likely due to the limited manipulation, there were limited results. Nonetheless, this study can and should be used as a stepping-stone for future studies. Limitations, positives, and recommendations for future research are discussed.}},
  author       = {{Schoonbrood, Arnanto}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{How a shift in focus of news coverage content can affect the safety perception and optimism of the public.}},
  year         = {{2018}},
}