When lawmakers name bills after victims of tragedy, public support tends to increase, according to a study led by Krystia Reed, J.D., Ph.D., an associate professor of psychology at The University of Texas at El Paso. The research was published in the journal Psychology, Public Policy, and Law.
The study explored whether bills named for victims—known as eponymous bills—garner more public backing than similar legislation without a victim’s name or story attached. Over three experiments with more than 670 participants, including undergraduate students and a national sample of adults recruited online, researchers found that eponymous bills received significantly higher approval.
“Our research shows that adding a victim’s name and story to a bill can dramatically increase public support, even when the policy itself hasn’t changed,” said Reed. “Victim narratives don’t just make legislation more memorable – they make it more persuasive. Sympathy often drives approval, which means voters and lawmakers may prioritize emotion over evidence.”
Participants in the experiments read about proposed pieces of legislation either with or without a victim’s narrative. Afterward, they voted on the bill’s approval, completed attention checks about its content, and answered questions regarding their emotional reactions and perceptions of the people involved.
The results indicated that stories accompanying these bills were especially influential in increasing support. Emotional responses like sympathy often outweighed rational evaluation of the policy details.
Reed noted concerns about what she described as “crime control theater” and “lawmaking by anecdote,” where emotionally charged cases lead to rapid legislative responses that might not address broader issues effectively. She referenced criticisms of some eponymous laws—such as sex offender registries—for causing unintended negative outcomes like increased homelessness and recidivism.
“Stories are powerful tools in shaping public opinion,” Reed said. “But lawmakers should be cautious. Support driven by emotion rather than substance can result in ineffective or even harmful policies.”
The research team recommends greater scrutiny for these types of bills and urges policymakers to consider evidence-based solutions instead of relying mainly on emotional appeal. While victim stories can help clarify complex legislation for voters, there is also a risk that such narratives will favor policies that feel right but may not deliver effective results.
