On glasses half full or half empty: understanding framing effects in terms of default implicatures

Abstract

The variations in how subjects respond to positively or negatively framed descrip tions of the same issue have received attention from social science research, where, nevertheless, a naïve understanding of speech interpretation has undermined the dif ferent explanations ofered. The present paper explores the semantic-pragmatic side of framing efects and provides a unifying explanation of this phenomenon in terms of a combined efect of pragmatic presuppositions and default implicatures. The paper contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of representations and cognitive processes involved in the framing bias by showing how well-entrenched linguistic practices associated to frame choice, and conducive to an implicit focus, result in default implicatures on the addressee’s side.