Negativity Bias: How Framing of Immigration Influences Welfare State Attitudes

In this study, we explore how the framing of immigration affects public support for welfare states. Drawing on psychological research about negativity bias, our findings suggest that negative portrayals of immigration significantly reduce welfare state backing in Germany, Sweden and the UK.

Our survey experiments revealed striking patterns:

Negative Framing Dominates Perception

Individuals pay considerably less attention to positive framing attempts than they do to negative ones. The effect of negative information appears more durable across different countries.

Country-Specific Nuances Emerge

The impact varies slightly by country, reflecting their unique welfare systems and immigration contexts:

* Germany: Strongest erosion observed in support for redistribution-focused programs

* Sweden: Negative framing most effectively targeted universal welfare principles

* UK: Impact varied significantly based on existing media narratives about immigration

Attitudinal Moderation Amplifies Effects

The negative framing impact is particularly pronounced among citizens with pre-existing anti-immigrant views or skepticism towards the welfare state. Economic insecurity further mediates these effects.

These findings underscore the psychological mechanisms driving political attitudes and highlight how information presentation shapes public opinion on critical social policy issues.