Psychophysiological Measurement of Information Selection: Two Studies

Abstract

These studies measured selective exposure to information by "open-" and "closed-minded" subjects within a consistency perspective, using an eye camera to record actual exposure behaviors on discrepant, supportive, and balanced materials, presented simultaneously. Arousal (taken as an indicator of stress) of the subjects during exposure to each of the types of stimulus materials was measured through use of galvanic skin response equipment. These procedures were selected to overcome some of the principal questions about validity raised in regard to conventional methods in information selection studies.Among the major criticisms of information selection studies are (1) that they often have not measured seeking or avoiding behaviors, but rather interest in certain types of materials [21], and ( 2 ) that, although much of the research has been guided by a consistency perspective, there is usually no measurement of the amount of dissonance or stress produced by stimulus materials [ 1, 5, 10,221. This paper reports alternatives to the methods presently used in such studies. It is based on two studies exploring uses of psychophysiological equipment to investigate selective exposure and is intended primarily to suggest other approaches to the study not only of selective exposure but also of other areas of information pr0cessing.l Lewis Donohew (Ph.D., University of Iowa, 1965) is Professor in the School of Communications at the University of Kentucky. Joanne Parker (M.A., University of Kentucky, 1969) is Director of the Division of Education in the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department. \'irginia McDermott (M.A., University of Kentucky, 1969) is a doctoral student in Communication at Michigan State University.The authors acknowledge the support of the University of Kentucky's Major Research Equipment Fund in providing funds for the equipment used in these studies. They also wish to thank Robert Murphy, Director of the School of Communications, for his advice and help. lHowever, the principal study results-derived from small samples and non-parametric correlation analysis-are consistent with those from a larger

Feeling validated versus being correct: A meta-analysis of selective exposure to information.

“…Finally, studies were excluded if they lacked adequate statistics (e.g., F -ratios, frequencies, and p -values) for calculating an effect size representing the difference in exposure to congenial and uncongenial information (seven articles; e.g., Donohew, Parker, & McDermott, 1972). …”

“…Studies were included if they focused on an individual’s information seeking and were excluded if they focused on a group’s information seeking (Schulz-Hardt, Frey, Luthgens, & Moscovici, 2000). Finally, studies were excluded if they lacked adequate statistics (e.g., F ratios, frequencies, and p values) for calculating an effect size representing the difference in exposure to congenial and uncongenial information (7 articles; e.g., Donohew, Parker, & McDermott, 1972). …”