IU professors study importance of visual images in campaigns
Indiana Daily Student
March 24, 2008
By Justin Doran
Presidential candidates are seen more and heard less, according to research conducted by two IU associate professors.
The research reveals the importance of visual images for candidates running for president and the power that visuals have on the minds of viewers.
"We analyzed the visual aspects of the last four elections," said Erik Bucy, an IU professor who is currently a visiting associate professor at the University of Michigan. "This is unique in the sense that most researchers don't focus exclusively on the images," "The question is, 'are the candidates shown more than they're heard?' and the answer is 'yes'."
In the past, researchers had no way to cipher or examine visuals, but a reliable method has emerged from this research, Bucy said.
"With this paper we've documented the visual aspects of general election coverage," he said. We know from previous research that (visuals) have persuasive influence. We feel it's important that images are treated as a valid form of information."
Additionally, the length of sound bites is falling even as the length of "image bites," or visuals of candidates without sound, are rising, said Betsi Grabe, associate professor and director of graduate studies in the Department of Telecommunications.
Read the complete story here: http://www.idsnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=49825&comview=1
Learn more about the Department of Telecommunications here: http://www.indiana.edu/~telecom/
