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Understanding the power of the picture: the effect of image content on emotional and political responses to terrorism
Author(s) -
Iyer Aarti,
Webster Joanna,
Hornsey Matthew J.,
Vanman Eric J.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of applied social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.822
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1559-1816
pISSN - 0021-9029
DOI - 10.1111/jasp.12243
Subject(s) - sympathy , terrorism , psychology , anger , social psychology , politics , feeling , disgust , content (measure theory) , power (physics) , political science , law , mathematical analysis , physics , mathematics , quantum mechanics
Abstract Viewing images of terrorism can have a powerful impact on individuals' emotional and political responses, yet little is known about the psychological processes underlying these effects. We hypothesized that the content of terrorism images will shape viewers' appraisals of the event, which will elicit specific emotions and political attitudes. B ritish citizens viewed photographs of the 2005 L ondon bombings, either focusing on victims or terrorists. Exposure to images of victims increased appraisals of victim suffering, which predicted feelings of sympathy. Exposure to images of terrorists increased appraisals of terrorists as dangerous, which predicted fear; and of the attack as unjust, which predicted anger. Each emotion predicted support for a distinct counterterrorism policy. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.