Visual Framing: A Study in Face-ism from the Websites for the 108th United States Congress.

<p>Websites are being used by increasing numbers to target a market with a message unfiltered by the media. This content analysis examined the website front-screens for the members of the 108th United States Congress to determine if the photographic images displayed reinforced the media's stereotypical frame of female politicians. A total of 3,892 photographic images were captured from 540 websites and coded using the face-ism index. Overall, the results supported the face-ism theory. Images of females were cropped lower on their bodies than images of males. The face-ism effect was not supported until the number of people in the photograph numbered six or more. Results revealed that photographic images of female representatives and senators were cropped no differently than their male peers. The research indicated females in Congress are successful in framing their own image but future website designs can portray a positive frame for all females presented on Congressional websites.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MA (Master of Arts)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - unrestricted

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Communication, Professional

Year dc:date.issued

2003

Author dc:creator

• Anderson, Beth Johnson

• Website
• Congress
• Politics
• Gender
• Framing
• Face-ism
• Communication
• Social and Behavioral Sciences

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright by the authors.

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/825

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dc.etsu.edu:etd-1982