Characterization Frames

Characterization frames describe how individuals in a particular conflict view other individuals or groups. Whereas identity frames respond to the question, "Who am I?" characterization frames respond to the question, "Who are they?" These responses are often based on our own experiences, and are heavily influenced by what others have done in the past to shape these experiences.

Closely linked to stereotyping, characterization frames influence how we view and respond to particular conflict situations, based on how we view others in the conflict. Characterization frames have a normative or evaluative quality, which can include both negative and positive (or neutral) characterizations. For example, if one frames another as evil, greedy, well-informed, or intelligent, they will respond and interact with them as if they were indeed evil, greedy, well-informed, or intelligent. When framing another person or group negatively, stakeholders in a conflict tend to minimize the role or contributions of the other person or group to the dispute.

For example, if we are confronting a water quality dispute, as residents, we may view the management of the local chemical plant upstream with suspicion. In the past, they may have tried to cover up widespread dumping of toxic chemicals into the river. After several years, when pollution levels have been on the rise, residents may frame the attempts of management to relieve themselves of any wrongdoing and the company-sponsored water evaluations with contempt. Based on their framed characterizations of the "greedy" and "corrupt" management, they would likely find fault with the management's claims of innocence.

Negative characterization frames often work to create divisions and boundaries between individuals and groups, based on identity group membership. Often, characterization frames arise out of one's allegiance to a particular group and its representative values, interests, positions, or goals in the conflict. When one's personal identity is inextricably tied to that of a larger religious, political, ethnic, or neighborhood group, the individual may respond to opposing groups in ways that characterize them as inferior, unintelligent, biased, or otherwise misguided in their interpretation of the conflict situation. This allows the individual operating under unfavorable characterization frames to discredit and discount the perspectives of the other groups, thus making their contributions appear unworthy of consideration.

Additional Resources:

Lewicki, Roy J., Barbara Gray, and Michael Elliott. Making Sense of Intractable Environmental Conflicts: Concepts and Cases. Island Press, 2003.

Davis, Craig B. and Roy J. Lewicki. "Environmental Conflict Resolution: Framing and Intractability- An Introduction." Environmental Practice. Vol. 5, No. 3. September, 2003.

Wondolldeck, B. Gray and T. Bryan. "Us versus Them: How identities and Characterizations Influence Conflict. Environmental Practice. Vol. 5, No. 3. September, 2003.