Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identifier

306

Date

2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Major

Political Science

Committee Chair

Eric W. Groenendyk

Committee Member

Matthias Kaelberer

Committee Member

Heather Larsen-Price

Abstract

This paper examines the role of humor in information sharing of political issues using social media. In an experiment with 164 participants from the University of Memphis, the effects of sharing and information seeking were tested using Stephan Colbert’s comedy, and the same story told as straight news. This research found people are more likely to pass along information using social media if the issue is told in a humorous way. Conversely, Colbert’s persona seems to effect information seeking rather than primarily interest.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

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