Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identifier

1107

Date

2014

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Major

Journalism

Committee Chair

Erin Willis

Committee Member

Rick Fischer

Committee Member

Eric Groenendyk

Abstract

The theory of selective exposure asserts that individuals choose to expose themselves to information that correlates with their pre-existing beliefs. With the Internet, individuals can now access more information and thus be more selective in their exposure to information. The role of the Internet in selective exposure is possibly more exacerbated for those whose viewpoints are not typically reflected in traditional media. These are likely to be "political non-traditionalists," or those who do not identify with the Republican and Democratic parties. This study conducts a secondary data analysis of Annenberg Public Policy Center's National Annenberg Election 2008 Phone Edition survey data, in an effort to determine differences in how political non-traditionalists and political traditionalists, or Republicans and Democrats, use new and traditional media for political purposes. The study found that political non-traditionalists use all media, both traditional and new, less than political traditionalists.

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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