The Influence of News Frames and Science Background on Attributions About Embryonic and Adult Stem Cell Research: Frames as Heuristic/ Biasing Cues

Abstract

This study investigated effects of frames, science background, and stem cell source on attributions of ethicality, credibility, and usefulness of stem cell research. Framing did not influence perceptions of ethicality, but science majors tended to perceive embryonic research to be more ethical than did nonscience majors. Nonscience majors perceived stem cell research to be less credible than did science majors in an Economic Prospects frame. Science majors perceived embryonic research to be more useful than did nonscience majors except in a Conflict frame. Results suggest that frames cue heuristics that bias science and nonscience majors' cognitions about stem cell research differently. © 2013 SAGE Publications.

Publication Title

Science Communication

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