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

Abstract

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.

The Dynamics of Message Selection in Online Political Discussion Forums: Self-Segregation or Diverse Exposure?

“…While the literature generally suggests that strong partisans and interested voters arrive at their decisions early in the election campaign cycle (Fournier, Nadeau, Blais, Gidengil, & Nevitte, 2004), the day-to-day dynamics in the campaign environment may prompt them to seek out confirmatory information. Specifically, an increase in uncertainty about the election outcome may induce confirmatory information-seeking behavior (Carnahan, Garrett, & Lynch, 2016; Valentino et al, 2009). As changes in the campaign environment (e.g., campaign competitiveness) over time induce more anxiety and uncertainty about the election outcome, the effect of preference homophily (i.e., message selection based on similar political preferences) may increase.…”

The “echo chamber” distraction: Disinformation campaigns are the problem, not audience fragmentation.

“…As long as an individual’s views are represented in a news story, most people are indifferent to the inclusion of other viewpoints. Furthermore, there are instances when the inclusion of other perspectives is preferred (Carnahan, Garrett, & Lynch, 2016; Knobloch-Westerwick & Kleinman, 2011). These patterns have not changed despite the radical transformation of communication technologies (Garrett, Carnahan, & Lynch, 2013).…”

Personal Issue Importance and Motivated-Reasoning Goals for Pro- and Counterattitudinal Exposure: A Moderated Mediation Model of Motivations and Information Selectivity on Elaborative Reasoning

“…They argued that this may be because counterattitudinal information is useful for understanding the whole issue and learning about how the other side articulates the issue, enabling the individual to make more informed decisions. People may also attend to counterattitudinal information in addition to proattitudinal information because of cognitive and utilitarian needs, such as to reduce uncertainty when they believe their political position is vulnerable (Carnahan, Garrett, & Lynch, 2016).…”