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Understanding Mis- and Dis-Information Consumption in a Polarized Society – Analyzing Selective Evaluation, Subjective Perception of Opinion Leaders and Effects of Heuristic Cues in Post-decision

Ghosh Chowdhury, Satrajit
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1888-847X
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou162891154529201

Abstract Details

2021, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, Journalism (Communication).
Spread of mis- and dis-information has emerged as one of the most concerning threat to democratic processes in the United States. Who is to blame for such a rise in the spread of mis- and dis-information is yet to be decided, however, this study aimed to explore how such forms of information is consumed and believed by the audiences. This research expands on our understanding of how ideological cues work to promote mis/disinformation consumption along with other factors like, political opinion leaders, cognitive dissonance and personal ideology. Furthermore, the study explores the two-step selective evaluation process, which an information consumer goes through before making any decision on the information. The decision is then further rationalized in post-decisional effects. A survey experiment was conducted on 429 respondents who showed that any information content will be palatable to them if those information carries ideologically confirming cues. Moreover, the study used opinion leader as manipulation to test cognitive dissonance, consonance, and resonance against the personal ideology of the respondents to further divulge into the process of mis/disinformation consumption. A deductive thematic analysis of audience responses gives a direction to the decision-making process when faced with congruent or incongruent information.
Victoria LaPoe (Advisor)
351 p.
Cognitive Psychology; Communication; Journalism; Mass Communications; Mass Media; Political Science
misinformation; disinformation; fake news; media bias; media polarization; audience cognition; heuristic cues; opinion leaders; confirmation bias; selective evaluation; political communication

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Ghosh Chowdhury, S. (2021). Understanding Mis- and Dis-Information Consumption in a Polarized Society – Analyzing Selective Evaluation, Subjective Perception of Opinion Leaders and Effects of Heuristic Cues in Post-decision [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou162891154529201

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Ghosh Chowdhury, Satrajit. Understanding Mis- and Dis-Information Consumption in a Polarized Society – Analyzing Selective Evaluation, Subjective Perception of Opinion Leaders and Effects of Heuristic Cues in Post-decision. 2021. Ohio University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou162891154529201.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Ghosh Chowdhury, Satrajit. "Understanding Mis- and Dis-Information Consumption in a Polarized Society – Analyzing Selective Evaluation, Subjective Perception of Opinion Leaders and Effects of Heuristic Cues in Post-decision." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou162891154529201

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou162891154529201
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© 2021, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.