We Face, I Tweet: How Different Social Media Influence Political Participation through Collective and Internal Efficacy

This study advances a theoretical model centered on collective and internal efficacy to explain the separate pathways through which political sharing on Facebook and Twitter may influence individuals to engage in political activities. We test the model with data from a 2‐wave panel survey conducted...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of computer-mediated communication 2017-11, Vol.22 (6), p.320-336
Main Authors: Halpern, Daniel, Valenzuela, Sebastián, Katz, James E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Collective Efficacy
Digital media
Effectiveness
Facebook
Internal efficacy
Political Participation
Politics
Social networks
Twitter
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Summary:This study advances a theoretical model centered on collective and internal efficacy to explain the separate pathways through which political sharing on Facebook and Twitter may influence individuals to engage in political activities. We test the model with data from a 2‐wave panel survey conducted with an adult population in 2013 in Chile. We found that frequent usage of Facebook and Twitter for sharing political information is conducive to higher levels of participation through different efficacy measures. Facebook has a significant effect on collective—not internal—efficacy, whereas Twitter's effect is on internal—not collective—efficacy. Results are discussed in light of the diverse affordances and strengths of network ties of Facebook and Twitter.
ISSN:1083-6101
1083-6101
DOI:10.1111/jcc4.12198