Candidate Vulnerability and Exposure to Counterattitudinal Information: Evidence From Two U.S. Presidential Elections

Politically motivated selective exposure has traditionally been understood through the lens of long‐standing attitudes and beliefs, but the role of environment in shaping information exposure practices merits further consideration. Citizens might respond to the political environment in their informa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Human communication research 2016-10, Vol.42 (4), p.577-598
Main Authors: Carnahan, Dustin, Garrett, R. Kelly, Lynch, Emily K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anxiety
Candidates
Deliberative Democracy
Elections
Presidential elections
Selective Exposure
Uncertainty
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Summary:Politically motivated selective exposure has traditionally been understood through the lens of long‐standing attitudes and beliefs, but the role of environment in shaping information exposure practices merits further consideration. Citizens might respond to the political environment in their information‐seeking behavior for numerous reasons. Citizens who believe their position is politically vulnerable have specific cognitive and affective needs that may make them uniquely attuned to counterattitudinal information. In the context of a presidential election, this means that as the defeat of a supported candidate appears more likely, attention to counterattitudinal content will increase. Data collected in the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Presidential elections support this prediction, although this relationship was observed primarily among supporters of the Republican candidate in both elections.
ISSN:0360-3989
1468-2958
DOI:10.1111/hcre.12088