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.