Mass Media and Information Flow: The Knowledge Gap Hypothesis Reconsidered

Donohue, George A.; Tichenor, Phillip J.; Olien, Clarice N.

doi:10.1093/poq/38.3.483-b

Cited by 43 publications

(65 citation statements)

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“…A number of factors are potentially likely to lead to knowledge gaps between different SES groups (Gaziano, 1983;Viswanath & Finnegan, 1996). Critical among them include differences in attention to health information in different media, ties to community groups, interest in and engagement with the topics, presence or absence of controversy, saturation news coverage, size and complexity of the community as they influence the nature of information available in that community, and when a particular topic is defined as important to a community (Donohue, Tichenor, & Olien, 1975;Gaziano, 1983;Rucinski, 2004;Viswanath & Finnegan, 1996;Viswanath et al, 2002).…”

Section: Background and Significancementioning

confidence: 99%

Cancer Knowledge and Disparities in the Information Age

Viswanath

Breen

Meissner

et al. 2006

Journal of Health Communication

225

171

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Increasing information flow often leads to widening gaps in knowledge between different socioeconomic status (SES) groups as higher SES groups are more likely to acquire this new information at a faster rate than lower SES groups. These gaps in knowledge may offer a partial but robust explanation for differential risk behaviors and health disparities between different social groups. Drawing on the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 2003), a national survey of communication behaviors conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), we examine the relationship between publicity and knowledge gaps on two cancer topics that received different levels of publicity: knowledge about tobacco and sun exposure and their respective links to cancer. Analyses of the HINTS 2003 data suggest that differential knowledge levels of causes of cancer between SES groups are one potential explanation of cancer disparities that have been extensively reported in the literature. It is evident that high income and high education are associated with awareness about causes of major cancers such as lung and skin, and may allow people to protect themselves and minimize their risks. The data also show that heavier media attention could attenuate the knowledge gaps though moderate publicity or lack of news coverage may actually widen them. Last, the findings in this article suggest that it is necessary to take into account the SES variation within different racial and ethnic groups rather than mask them by treating the groups as one.

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Section: Background and Significancementioning

confidence: 99%

Cancer Knowledge and Disparities in the Information Age

Viswanath

Breen

Meissner

et al. 2006

Journal of Health Communication

225

171

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“…Interpersonal communication is one such variable; early on, controversy surrounding a local issue was found to decrease the knowledge gap effect about that issue within the affected community (Donohue, Tichenor, and Olien 1975). Subsequent work further illuminated the role of powerful local groups, community pluralism, and promotional efforts, among other factors (Viswanath and Finnegan 1996), making it difficult to apply the theory to local issues.…”

Section: Cognitive Effects: Knowledge Gap Hypothesis and Agenda-settimentioning

confidence: 99%

Transmission creep

Singer

2016

Journalism Studies

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Abstract:The nature of digital media challenges the explanatory power of effects theories that rest on a transmission model of communication. As essentially linear conceptualizations reliant on identification and measurement of discrete message components, these 20 th century theories are poorly suited to contemporary journalistic structures and forms. This article adds to the call for a more richly theorized concept of relationship effects suitable to an immersive, iterative, and interconnected environment of news producers and products.

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“…And second, Jefferson wrote that everyone should receive and be able to read those newspapers. In a contemporary context, Jefferson' s meaning would imply we should be sure to cross the digital divide and ensure universal access to news and not permit a knowledge gap (DoNohUe, TICheNoR, & olIeN, 1975 Research shows that the in the U.S., the Internet and mobile media are fast rising as daily news sources, especially among the young. of course, these sources are often only aggregators or re-transmitters of news originally produced by newspapers or other traditional news providers.…”

Section: A Digital Dividementioning

confidence: 99%

Digital technology and journalism: implications for Democracy

Pavlik¹

2011

BJR

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1abstract Digital technology has brought sweeping changes to journalism and the social institutions it serves. Journalism has historically played a central role in the U.S. and other democracies, serving as a primary source of news and information for citizens on matters of public importance. This paper examines the implications of these changes for democracy. It explores the question of whether a more interactive form of journalism will produce a more engaged and informed electorate.

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Mass Media and Information Flow: The Knowledge Gap Hypothesis Reconsidered

Cited by 43 publications

References 0 publications

Cancer Knowledge and Disparities in the Information Age

Cancer Knowledge and Disparities in the Information Age

Transmission creep

Digital technology and journalism: implications for Democracy

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