uhkakuvitus

Uhkakuvitus is a Finnish term describing the construction or presentation of threats through imagery, narrative, or framed messages designed to evoke fear, concern, or urgency among audiences. The word combines uhka (threat) and kuvitus (illustration, depiction).

In scholarly and public discourse, uhkakuvitus refers to how threats are depicted in media, politics, and public policy to shape perceptions and behaviors. It can appear in news coverage, campaign rhetoric, public safety campaigns, and policy debates, where images, statistics, or hypothetical scenarios are combined to emphasize risk and justify preventive action.

Key mechanisms include threat framing, where the risk is highlighted as imminent or systemic; fear appeals, which tap into emotions; and narrative devices that personalize or dramatize risk. Uhkakuvitus interacts with audience characteristics such as perceived vulnerability and trust in institutions, influencing acceptance of policies or conformity with guidelines.

Effects can be dual. A balanced use can raise awareness and motivate protective actions, while excessive or misleading imagery may distort risk, provoke anxiety, or stigmatize groups. Ethical use emphasizes transparency, proportionality, and empirical grounding.

See also: threat framing, risk communication, media rhetoric, political communication.

References: Finnish-language literature in media studies and communication research discusses uhkakuvitus as part of risk discourse and public persuasion.