How to study frame control (framing) in public diplomacy?

Frame control is used to control what is the spectrum of acceptable opinion. Remember that we all understand frame control from our parents. When parents limit our decisions as children, they are applying frame control. They frame the choice for us by creating the illusion that we have control. For example, the parent asks their child, "Do you want to do the dishes or do you want to play outside?" (Here, the parents have an agenda, of wanting some private time without their children playing inside).

That same decision tree analysis also applies to public diplomacy. "The smart way to keep people passive and obedient is to strictly limit the spectrum of acceptable opinion, but allow very lively debate within that spectrum." - Noam Chomsky

Now to answer your question of, "How to study frame control (framing) in public diplomacy?"

Simple answer: Use data analysis to study frame control in public diplomacy.

More elaborate answer: The best way to study frame control in public diplomacy is using data analysis combined with linguistic analysis.

Do not study frame control in a vacuum (theoretical). Study frame control in situ (practical).

Do your "theoretical" outline first then do your "practical" outline, run comparisons between the two to better "calibrate" your "framing tools"

First you have to know your target audience. Who are they? What are they're beliefs?

You could start with some basic frameworks (known frameworks and then shift to unknown frameworks)

For example you could run with a "resolution": "That abortion should be made illegal in the Republic of Lyra"

Current status is that abortion in Lyra is legal (and is available on request within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and available for medical reasons until 22 weeks)

The psychological operation (PSYOP) "estimate" of the current population of the Republic of Lyra are the following:

Republic of Lyra: current population of 2,000,000 people. Let's say for argument that you have four groups of people; Latgalians, Curonians, Selonians, and Semigallians. But there is not an equal distribution of population between the four groups. Let's say, Latgalians = 1,000,000 people, Curonians = 500,000 people, Selonians = 300,000 people, and Semigallians = 200,000 people. With a total population of 2,000,000 people. Where about 31% (620,000) of the population is unaffiliated with a certain religion.

Religious beliefs: The current distribution of the population was the following: Lutheran = 1,000,000, Roman Catholic = 500,000, Latvian Orthodox Christian = 60,000, Jewish = 10,000, Muslim = 10,000

Using data analysis you start filling in the data cells and building your matrix. The matrix could finally end up to be 20 x 20, or 30 x 30... M X M, etc. (Then you have vector and matrix operations at your disposal)

Form and develop an operational baseline that you can test on a real population. Start by adopting a procedure: For example, the US Army has a procedure for psychological operations (PSYOP): 1. clearly define the mission so that it aligns with national objectives 2. Get a PSYOP estimate of the situation, 3. prepare the plan, 4. media selection, 4. product development, 5. pretesting - determines the probable impact of the PSYOP on the target audience, 6. production and dissemination of PSYOP material, 7. implementation, 8. post testing - evaluates audience responses, 9. feedback

Run that proceedure several times over several different resolutions: (Abortion (Civil liberties), international, ideological, ethno-political, and socio-economic topics)

You can run these procedures with various inputs to test various responses over time (time-series analysis) down to very specific inputs of cultural literacy components, semiotics, signs, symbols, etc.

Thank you!

Basically any time you can "map" or "re-assign" qualitative data into quantitative data to processing in data analysis, the better for "frame control" analysis. IMHO