<p>The impact of word choice and language on perception, judgment, and understanding is an area of research that falls within the field of cognitive psychology and linguistics.</p>
<p>The phenomenon you described, where different word choices can influence perception and judgment, is known as framing effects. Framing refers to the way information is presented, emphasizing certain aspects and downplaying others, which can shape how people interpret and evaluate that information. It has been shown that subtle changes in the wording of a message can lead to different perceptions, attitudes, and decisions.</p>
<p>Numerous studies have investigated framing effects in various contexts, including political communication and media. Researchers have examined how different word choices can influence people's opinions on political candidates, policy issues, or social topics. The studies often involve presenting participants with the same information but framed in different ways to observe the impact on their attitudes and judgments.</p>
<p>For example, a classic study by Kahneman and Tversky (1984) demonstrated framing effects by presenting participants with a scenario involving a hypothetical disease outbreak. When the scenario was framed in terms of saving lives, participants were more likely to choose a treatment with a guaranteed number of lives saved. Conversely, when the scenario was framed in terms of potential lives lost, participants were more likely to choose a riskier treatment option with potential lives saved. This study highlighted how the framing of information influenced decision-making.</p>
<p>In the context of news headlines, studies have investigated how different framing techniques can affect readers' perceptions and attitudes towards specific events or individuals. For example, a study by Vallone, Ross, and Lepper (1985) examined the impact of media frames on public opinion during a U.S. presidential campaign. They found that when the media framed an issue positively for one candidate, it influenced the public's perception of that candidate.</p>
<p>Overall, numerous studies have demonstrated that word choice and framing can significantly influence people's perceptions, judgments, and attitudes. However, it's important to note that the effects can vary depending on individual differences, context, and other factors.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-06-19T14:51:10.227Z
Could you please include full APA references? In particular, I don't see how Vallone, Ross, and Lepper (1985) study is related to the mentioned claim. Furthermore, Kahneman's framing effect and study seems unrelated to the question here which is about synonyms.
Steven Jeuris
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-06-21T09:29:59.443Z
The specific claim you mentioned, regarding how different word choices can influence understanding and judgments, falls within the broader concept of linguistic framing effects. 
I can provide you with references to foundational research that explores the impact of language and word choices on perception and judgments:
nikita tisheninov
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-06-21T09:30:21.080Z
1) Levin, I. P., Schneider, S. L., & Gaeth, G. J. (1998). All frames are not created equal: A typology and critical analysis of framing effects. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 76(2), 149-188.

2) Chong, D., & Druckman, J. N. (2007). Framing theory. Annual Review of Political Science, 10, 103-126.
nikita tisheninov
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-06-21T09:30:52.453Z
Regarding studies specifically investigating how synonyms or word choices can affect perception and judgments, I apologize for the lack of specific references. The topic you are interested in appears to be a more specific aspect of framing effects, and I couldn't find direct studies examining the impact of synonyms in news headlines. However, the broader concept of framing effects in the literature addresses how language choices can shape perceptions and judgments.
nikita tisheninov
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-06-22T05:47:49.010Z
You have been tremendously helpful. You've given me a great start. Thanks.
Jason Esposito
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-06-27T16:34:33.403Z
Your answer could be improved with additional supporting information. Please [edit] to add further details, such as citations or documentation, so that others can confirm that your answer is correct. You can find more information on how to write good answers [in the help center](/help/how-to-answer).
Community
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-06-19T11:48:55.083Z
2023-06-19T11:48:55.083Z
nikita tisheninov
<p>I am looking for any studies, research, or theories about how choosing particular words or descriptions can lead to perceptual changes and judgements. This would be like loaded or emotive language.</p>
<p>For example if a news headline were to state &quot;President X <strong>attacks</strong> new tax plan&quot;. As opposed to &quot;President X <strong>opposes</strong> new tax plan&quot;. The word difference here is attacks vs. opposes. &quot;Attacks&quot; is more aggressive, while &quot;opposes&quot; is more tame.</p>
<p>Or another example is if a news headline stated &quot;drone strike leads to <strong>loss of innocent life.</strong>&quot; As opposed to &quot;drone strike leads to <strong>collateral damage.</strong>&quot; This would be &quot;loss of innocent life&quot; vs. &quot;collateral damage&quot;.</p>
<p>If you notice the messages are practically identical with the exception of the different word choices. I want to know if any studies, research, or theories demonstrate whether different word choices, such as what I demonstrated, will change are understanding and judgements of the information we receive. This is mostly in reference to online news article headlines but any study will suffice.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-06-17T12:01:59.483Z
Please edit the question to limit it to a specific problem with enough detail to identify an adequate answer.
Community
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-06-17T18:25:28.833Z
If you're stuck for a point at which to start your researches, try the [Sapir-Whorf hypothesis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linguistic_relativity), AKA linguistic relativity..
Jiminy Cricket.
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-06-27T20:54:14.400Z
A seminal [experiment by Elizabeth Loftus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reconstructive_memory#Priming) tested "About how fast were the cars going when they **hit** each other?” vs "About how fast were the cars going when they **smashed** each other?" and found significant differences in estimates.
Arnon Weinberg
<perception><language>
The Power of Word Choice in Changing Perceptions
Jason Esposito
# The Power of Word Choice in Changing Perceptions

(Asked by: username_0 on 2023-06-17)

I am looking for any studies, research, or theories about how choosing particular words or descriptions can lead to perceptual changes and judgements. This would be like loaded or emotive language.

For example if a news headline were to state "President X **attacks** new tax plan". As opposed to "President X **opposes** new tax plan". The word difference here is attacks vs. opposes. "Attacks" is more aggressive, while "opposes" is more tame.

Or another example is if a news headline stated "drone strike leads to **loss of innocent life.**" As opposed to "drone strike leads to **collateral damage.**" This would be "loss of innocent life" vs. "collateral damage".

If you notice the messages are practically identical with the exception of the different word choices. I want to know if any studies, research, or theories demonstrate whether different word choices, such as what I demonstrated, will change are understanding and judgements of the information we receive. This is mostly in reference to online news article headlines but any study will suffice.

**Tags:** perception, language

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Please edit the question to limit it to a specific problem with enough detail to identify an adequate answer.  
> **username_2**: If you're stuck for a point at which to start your researches, try the [Sapir-Whorf hypothesis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linguistic_relativity), AKA linguistic relativity..  
> **username_3**: A seminal [experiment by Elizabeth Loftus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reconstructive_memory#Priming) tested "About how fast were the cars going when they **hit** each other?” vs "About how fast were the cars going when they **smashed** each other?" and found significant differences in estimates.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2023-06-19. Score: -1

The impact of word choice and language on perception, judgment, and understanding is an area of research that falls within the field of cognitive psychology and linguistics.

The phenomenon you described, where different word choices can influence perception and judgment, is known as framing effects. Framing refers to the way information is presented, emphasizing certain aspects and downplaying others, which can shape how people interpret and evaluate that information. It has been shown that subtle changes in the wording of a message can lead to different perceptions, attitudes, and decisions.

Numerous studies have investigated framing effects in various contexts, including political communication and media. Researchers have examined how different word choices can influence people's opinions on political candidates, policy issues, or social topics. The studies often involve presenting participants with the same information but framed in different ways to observe the impact on their attitudes and judgments.

For example, a classic study by Kahneman and Tversky (1984) demonstrated framing effects by presenting participants with a scenario involving a hypothetical disease outbreak. When the scenario was framed in terms of saving lives, participants were more likely to choose a treatment with a guaranteed number of lives saved. Conversely, when the scenario was framed in terms of potential lives lost, participants were more likely to choose a riskier treatment option with potential lives saved. This study highlighted how the framing of information influenced decision-making.

In the context of news headlines, studies have investigated how different framing techniques can affect readers' perceptions and attitudes towards specific events or individuals. For example, a study by Vallone, Ross, and Lepper (1985) examined the impact of media frames on public opinion during a U.S. presidential campaign. They found that when the media framed an issue positively for one candidate, it influenced the public's perception of that candidate.

Overall, numerous studies have demonstrated that word choice and framing can significantly influence people's perceptions, judgments, and attitudes. However, it's important to note that the effects can vary depending on individual differences, context, and other factors.

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: Could you please include full APA references? In particular, I don't see how Vallone, Ross, and Lepper (1985) study is related to the mentioned claim. Furthermore, Kahneman's framing effect and study seems unrelated to the question here which is about synonyms.  
> **username_4**: The specific claim you mentioned, regarding how different word choices can influence understanding and judgments, falls within the broader concept of linguistic framing effects.  I can provide you with references to foundational research that explores the impact of language and word choices on perception and judgments:  
> **username_4**: 1) Levin, I. P., Schneider, S. L., & Gaeth, G. J. (1998). All frames are not created equal: A typology and critical analysis of framing effects. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 76(2), 149-188.  2) Chong, D., & Druckman, J. N. (2007). Framing theory. Annual Review of Political Science, 10, 103-126.  
> **username_4**: Regarding studies specifically investigating how synonyms or word choices can affect perception and judgments, I apologize for the lack of specific references. The topic you are interested in appears to be a more specific aspect of framing effects, and I couldn't find direct studies examining the impact of synonyms in news headlines. However, the broader concept of framing effects in the literature addresses how language choices can shape perceptions and judgments.  
> **username_0**: You have been tremendously helpful. You've given me a great start. Thanks.  
> **username_1**: Your answer could be improved with additional supporting information. Please [edit] to add further details, such as citations or documentation, so that others can confirm that your answer is correct. You can find more information on how to write good answers [in the help center](/help/how-to-answer).  

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