The Effects of Generational Identification Accessibility and Normative Fit on Hostile Media Perception

Authors

  • Jisu Kim University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
  • Sung-Yeon Park Univ. of Nevada-Reno

Keywords:

media bias, media effect, political participation, political psychology, public opinion

Abstract

This study examined the effects of generational identification of young South Koreans on hostile media perception, with an emphasis on the accessibility of the social categorization and the fit between the political ideology of the generation group and that of individual members. A pretest established that generational identification was as strong among young South Koreans as their nationality or gender identification. It also confirmed that the generational identification was equally strong among liberals and conservatives, although the generation group’s political norm is liberalism. In a subsequent experiment, young South Koreans perceived a political news article more biased against their position, when their generational categorization was made accessible. Also, the hostile media perception was more pronounced among liberals whose political predisposition was a good fit with the normative political predisposition of their generation group. A regression analysis revealed that the fit, but neither accessibility nor hostile media perception exerted a significant impact on their intention to engage in political talk with their generational group members.

Author Biographies

Jisu Kim, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Kim, JisuDoctoral student, School of Journalism & Mass Communication, Univ. of Minnesota111 Murphy Hall, 206 Church St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA, (651)252-5393, kimx4290@umn.edu

Sung-Yeon Park, Univ. of Nevada-Reno

Sung-Yeon ParkAssociate Professor, School of Community Health Science, Univ. of Nevada-Reno1664 North Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89557, USA, (775)682-7079, syp@unr.edu

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Published

2017-05-12

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Section

Articles