Glossary / Lexicon

Frame

Deutsch: Rahmen / Español: Marco / Português: Moldura / Français: Cadre / Italiano: Cornice

Frame in psychology refers to the cognitive structures that shape how individuals perceive and interpret information. These mental frameworks influence our understanding, decision-making, and behaviour by providing a context or lens through which we view the world.

Description

In the psychology context, a frame is a mental construct that individuals use to understand and process information. It is akin to a lens or a perspective that influences how we interpret events, situations, and interactions. Frames help us organise our experiences and guide our responses to various stimuli.

The concept of framing is crucial in cognitive psychology, where it is used to explain how people make decisions and form judgments. For example, how information is framed can significantly impact our choices. If a situation is presented in terms of potential gains, people are likely to make different decisions than if the same situation is framed in terms of potential losses. This phenomenon is known as the framing effect.

Frames also play a significant role in social psychology, particularly in understanding social interactions and communication. The way we frame our messages can influence how others perceive and react to them. For instance, framing a request as a favour rather than an obligation can yield more positive responses.

In therapy, understanding and altering frames can be a powerful tool. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) often involves identifying and reframing negative or unhelpful thought patterns. By changing the frame through which a person views a problem, therapists can help clients develop more adaptive behaviours and thought processes.

Special Considerations

The impact of framing can be both positive and negative. While reframing can lead to more positive outcomes and improved mental health, it is also important to be aware of how frames can be manipulated in contexts like media and advertising to influence public perception and behaviour.

Application Areas

  • Decision-Making: Understanding how different frames impact choices and judgements.
  • Therapy: Using reframing techniques to alter negative thought patterns and promote healthier perspectives.
  • Communication: Crafting messages to achieve desired responses and improve social interactions.
  • Media and Advertising: Employing framing to shape public opinion and consumer behaviour.

Well-Known Examples

  • Loss Aversion: A well-known example of framing effect, where people prefer avoiding losses to acquiring equivalent gains.
  • CBT Techniques: Therapists use reframing to help clients change maladaptive thinking patterns. For instance, changing "I failed at this task" to "This task was challenging, but I can learn from it."
  • Public Health Campaigns: Messages framed to highlight positive behaviours (e.g., "Quitting smoking improves your health") versus negative consequences (e.g., "Smoking causes cancer") to influence behaviour.

Treatment and Risks

Using framing in therapy, particularly in CBT, involves helping clients recognise and alter their cognitive frames. This can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. However, improper use of framing can lead to oversimplification or misunderstanding of complex issues, potentially resulting in ineffective or harmful outcomes.

Similar Terms

  • Schema: Cognitive structures that help organise and interpret information.
  • Paradigm: A typical example or pattern of something; a model.
  • Perspective: A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something.

Articles with 'Frame' in the title

  • External frames of reference: External frames of reference it is when a child evaluates his or her own performance in light of parent, teacher, or peer feedback and observations of the performance of other children in the class
  • Disrupt-then-reframe technique: Disrupt-then-reframe technique refers to the influence technique in which one disrupts critical thinking by introducing an unexpected element, then reframes the message in a positive light
  • Frame-of-reference training: Frame-of-reference training is defined as a method of training raters in which the rater is provided with job-related information, a chance to practice ratings, examples of ratings made by experts, and the rationale behind the expert . . .
  • Frame Of Reference: Frame Of Reference: Frame of reference in the psychology context refers to the set of beliefs, experiences, values, and perspectives that shape how an individual perceives, interprets, and responds to the world around them

Weblinks

Summary

In psychology, a frame is a mental structure that shapes how individuals perceive, interpret, and respond to information. Frames influence decision-making, social interactions, and therapeutic outcomes. Understanding and altering frames can lead to more adaptive thinking and behaviour, making them a vital concept in both cognitive and social psychology.

--