Effects of Visual Framing in Multimodal Media Environments: A Systematic Review of Studies Between 1979 and 2023

Abstract

Framing is considered an important theoretical perspective for analyzing the influence of media information. Despite the explicit inclusion of visual elements within established frame definitions, visuals have long been marginalized in framing research. Based on a systematic review of 552 articles addressing visual framing, this article closely investigates 72 empirical studies on visual/multimodal framing effects. Drawing on framing as a multidimensional process, we discuss how existing studies have examined the sensory, affective, cognitive, and behavioral dimensions of impact. We explain the rising importance of visual communication and multimodality and conclude with implications for mass communication and visual journalism.