Voices of Convergence or Conflict? A Path Analysis Investigation of Selective Exposure to Political Websites

Abstract

This research used a path analysis model to explore the degree to which reliance on off-line and online media, off-line and online discussion of political issues, as well as political attitudes predict whether an individual will engage in selective exposure to political websites. The study also looked at selective avoidance of contradictory information on websites. The results indicate that respondents did indeed practice selective exposure when accessing information on political websites, especially among those who are politically active online and those who rely heavily on websites and blogs for political information. However, the results showed that selective avoidance did not occur, with those exhibiting increased political interest and online participation significantly less likely to avoid information that challenges their views.

Reasons to believe: Influence of credibility on motivations for using social networks

“…Facebook contain videos, links to articles about politics, and sometimes, thoughtful conversation about an issue, so it follows that users are motivated for political information and guidance/judgment. Facebook makes it easy for users to find information that conforms to their worldview, and agreeable information is often seen as more accurate thus satisfying and credible (Fischer et al, 2005;Johnson et al, 2011;Lawrence et al, 2010;Thorson et al, 2010). In contrast, the bursts of short comments that fly among Twitter followers bolster like-minded views and provide ammunition to use in arguments with others.…”

“…But in today's digital world an objective medium is not as highly valued as a one that supports a user's worldview (Johnson, Zhang, & Bichard, 2011;Lawrence et al, 2010), and information that is biased in favor of a user's political opinions is rated more credible than information that challenges beliefs (Fischer, Jonas, Frey, & Schulz-Hardt, 2005;Thorson et al, 2010). From a user's perspective, sources that are highly gratifying are seen as the most credible (Hilligoss & Rieh, 2008).…”

Selective Exposure in the Communication Technology Context

“…In the recent surge of selective exposure research in the context of political communication (see overview by Knobloch-Westerwick, 2014, 2015 for examples in the online context, see Johnson, Zhang, & Bichard, 2011;Jun, 2012), much of the evidence at hands stems from survey-based research. It may be peculiar to study the phenomenon of a bias through self-report measures that will very likely also be subject to related biases, in addition to other impairments from lay theories, social desirability, imperfect recall, and drive to provide internally consistent responses.…”

Challenging Selective Exposure

“…Nevertheless, pessimists' positions that fear an extensive fragmentation of the audience along lines of thematic interests and political viewpoints might exaggerate matters. A number of studies suggest more complex relationships (Holbert, Garrett, and Gleason 2010): While there is a long tradition of research that confirms that people seem to select information according to their political predispositions (Frey 1986;Lazarsfeld, Berelson, and Gaudet 1944;Sears and Freedman 1967;Zillmann and Bryant 1985), newer studies have nuanced this picture and provided evidence that conflicting sources are not eschewed completely (Garrett, Carnahan, and Lynch 2011;Garrett 2009aGarrett , 2009bJohnson, Zhang, and Bichard 2010;Kobayashi and Ikeda 2009;Stroud 2008;Webster 2011).…”