Can Emotions Capture the Elusive Gain-Loss Framing Effect? A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Although recent streams of research have suggested that emotions play a key role in generating framing effects, little is known about the affective dimension of gain and loss framing and its potential impact on persuasion. The current study adopted a meta-analytical approach, synthesizing over 30 years of literature (k = 25, N = 5,772), to investigate this issue. The results indicate that message frame type directs the emotional response elicited in the audience, with gain frames inducing positive emotions (d =.31, p =.02) and loss frames inducing negative emotions (d =.22, p =.001). In turn, the experience of positive emotions enhances the influence of gain frames (b =.18, p =.045), whereas negative emotions augment the effects of loss frames (b = −.70, p =.01). These findings confirm that emotional responses may offer a pathway through which gain- and loss-framed messages exert persuasive influence. The study integrates the results with the emotions-as-frames perspective and proposes several promising avenues for future research.