Gain/Loss Frames

When faced with decisions made by others in an environmental dispute, parties will often make evaluations of potential loss and gain for themselves and others, before more generally supporting or critiquing the decisions. Gain/loss frames arise as a result of perceiving a particular set of distinct gains and losses that will flow from a particular set of policy decisions. These frames are influenced by a selective analysis of all of the perceived losses and gains associated with a particular policy proposal.

Whereas one may see limited risks or loss involved with removing mine tailings from a polluted river, others may consider the environmental impact of this approach on the fish and wildlife that inhabit the river ecosystem. Whereas both groups may see the benefits of a clean river, the latter group realizes that the costs associated with the cleanup process may pose other risks that the former group may not fully consider.     

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.