Social media, the Internet, and political perceptions: Changing communications through the lens of the media dependence theory.

摘要

Access to information, news, and technology has created a large impact on how people communicate with each other and with the world. Such is the case with social media. It allows people to connect that otherwise would never have, like politicians and constituents. Facebook and Twitter feeds are riddled with news articles---some of questionable accuracy, and the politicians themselves promoting platforms. This research seeks to find out how these types of social media and alternative news sites affect voters using the media dependency theory by examining two, small focus groups of different ages. One was younger, and the other older. The media dependency theory essentially holds that consumers seek out information to gratify a need. In this case, a need to have political views reinforced. Using live coding, the groups were engaged in open discussion and the findings recorded using note taking. Once interpreted, the research found that the younger group, especially, sought out news media sources that reinforced their political leanings and gratified that need.