When the lens is too wide: The political consequences of the visual dehumanization of refugees

Photojournalistic images wield significant political power, shaping public perception of sociopolitical events. The 'identifiable victim effect' in social psychology highlights the increased empathy elicited by images of single suffering individuals. However, media portrayals of the Syrian refugee crisis largely depict refugees as faceless masses. This research explores the consequences of this dominant visual framing. The study uses award-winning photojournalistic images to maintain ecological validity. The researchers hypothesize that exposure to images of large refugee groups, compared to small groups, will result in greater implicit dehumanization, affecting attitudes and political behavior. They also explore whether images depicting refugees at sea, versus on land, impact emotional responses and whether the presence of accompanying textual metadata (news headlines) modifies these effects. The study integrates social psychology, social sciences, and humanities perspectives using methods from social and political psychology across 10 studies involving 3951 European citizens. This timely research is crucial for understanding how media representations influence societal responses during crises and for improving humanitarian initiatives.

Existing literature extensively discusses the performative power of images across various disciplines. The 'identifiable victim effect' demonstrates the increased prosocial behavior triggered by identifiable victims. However, the impact of depicting large, anonymous groups remains largely unstudied. Studies indicate that the dominant visual framing of refugees as large, faceless groups diminishes their perceived individuality and emphasizes security risks, potentially leading to dehumanization. While the effects of identifiable victims and psychic numbing are well-documented, the consequences of exposure to dominant media framings are less understood. The researchers draw on the existing literature on dehumanization, showing how different groups—such as the homeless, Black Africans, Arabs, and survivors of natural disasters—are frequently dehumanized in the media. They also reference work showing how visual narratives about refugees' journeys (especially sea crossings) influence perceptions.

Ten studies were conducted using Qualtrics, recruiting participants through Prolific. Participants were compensated and provided informed consent. Attention checks were employed. The researchers used award-winning photojournalistic images of refugees, classified into two categories: (i) small groups (pSG) with recognizable facial features, and (ii) large groups (pLG) without recognizable facial features. Studies 1-3 examined implicit dehumanization using dehumanization questionnaires and measures of distress ratings. Studies 4-5 investigated explicit evaluations of the images' humanness, with and without accompanying headlines. Studies 6-8 focused on the impact of visual framing on political behavior, measuring support for pro- and anti-refugee petitions, and preferences for political leaders based on facial features. A variety of measures were utilized including questionnaires assessing social dominance orientation (SDO), political orientation, warmth and competence perceptions, experienced emotions (pity, admiration, contempt), xenophobia, and perceived realistic and symbolic threats. Statistical analyses included regressions and structural equation modeling (SEM). The studies employed both between-subjects and within-subjects designs, and a meta-analysis was performed to examine the consistency of findings across studies on dehumanization.

Studies 1-3 revealed that exposure to pLG resulted in greater implicit dehumanization than pSG, as indicated by reduced attribution of secondary emotions. Study 2 showed that this effect was amplified when refugees were depicted at sea. Study 3 replicated the main effect using a different dehumanization measure (perceived warmth and competence), confirming the selective dehumanization of refugees. Studies 4 and 5 demonstrated that pLG were explicitly rated as less humane, and this effect was further influenced by accompanying headlines. Study 6 showed that pLG led to reduced support for pro-refugee petitions and increased support for anti-refugee petitions. Study 7 found that exposure to pLG increased the preference for more dominant and less trustworthy political leaders. Study 8 used SEM to reveal that felt pity mediated the effect of visual framing and narrative on political leader choice and perceived symbolic threat. The meta-analysis confirmed the consistent effect of pLG on dehumanization across multiple studies. Importantly, the studies demonstrate that the effect of framing on political behaviour is not solely through dehumanization, but is also mediated by the emotional responses elicited by the images.

The findings demonstrate that the dominant visual framing of refugees in Western media has significant consequences. The dehumanization resulting from the depiction of large, anonymous groups directly affects political attitudes and behavior. The mediating role of pity highlights the importance of emotional responses in shaping political choices. The study's findings underscore the need to reconsider how refugees are visually represented in the media, as the current dominant framing contributes to negative attitudes and policies. The study's implications extend to fields such as political psychology, media studies, and humanitarian aid, emphasizing the vital role of visual representations in shaping public opinion and policy.

This research reveals the potent influence of visual framing on the dehumanization of refugees and subsequent political consequences. The use of large, anonymous group depictions negatively impacts public attitudes and support for pro-refugee policies. Future research could explore other visual dimensions, such as iconography and depicted emotions, to further understand the multifaceted effects of media representations. The study's findings have crucial implications for media practices and humanitarian efforts, highlighting the need for more responsible and humane visual portrayals of vulnerable populations.

While the study employed ecological valid stimuli, the use of online surveys and hypothetical scenarios may limit the generalizability of the findings to real-world situations. Further research with diverse populations and utilizing different methodologies would enhance the robustness of the conclusions. The focus on European participants limits the generalizability to other cultural contexts. The study also predominantly focuses on implicit dehumanization and could benefit from exploring explicit dehumanization in future research.