Implications of online incidental and selective exposure for political emotions

Affective polarization during elections

Bibliographic Data

ID12656016
AuthorsQinfeng Zhu (0000-0001-8038-0274, University of Groningen, The Netherlands, corresponding author), Brian E Weeks (0000-0003-2355-2302, University of Michigan), Nojin Kwak (University of Michigan)
Year2021
Volume26
Issue1
Pages450-472
Publication date2021-12-07
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueNew Media & Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1461-4448 • E-ISSN: 1461-7315
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/14614448211061336
OpenAlexW4200576326
LanguageEN
Citations received22
References cited68

The Internet and social media create an environment in which individuals can selectively approach information supporting their political worldviews while also being incidentally exposed to socially shared information that challenges their beliefs. These competing information consumption patterns may help explain whether and how digital media contribute to affective polarization (i.e. affect-based division between political groups). This study examines how pro-attitudinal selective exposure and counter-attitudinal incidental exposure in tandem influence political emotions. Using data from 2, two-wave panel surveys conducted during the 2016 and 2020 US presidential elections, our findings demonstrate that seeking consonant political information is consistently associated with anger toward political opponents and enthusiasm toward like-minded partisans. In contrast, despite the purported democratic benefits endowed on political disagreement, cross-cutting incidental exposure does not temper political emotional responses associated with pro-attitudinal selective exposure. However, we find little evidence that unexpected exposure to disagreeable information backfires either

Affect (linguistics · Anger · Democracy · Enthusiasm · Information seeking · Polarization (electrochemistry · Political science · Politics · Presidential election · Presidential system · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · Law · Psychology · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Media and Politics · Social Psychology

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access