Partisan Information Sources and Affective Polarization: Panel Analysis of the Mediating Role of Anger and Fear. (September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lu, Yanqin; Lee, Jae Kook
• Is Part Of: Journalism & mass communication quarterly. Volume 96:Number 3(2019:Sep.)
• Page Start: 767
• Page End: 783
• Publication Date: 2019-09
• Subjects: partisan news -- selective exposure -- affective polarization -- anger -- fear; Journalism -- Periodicals; Mass media -- Periodicals; Communication -- Periodicals; Journalism -- United States -- Periodicals; Journalism -- Bibliography -- Periodicals; 070
• DOI: 10.1177/1077699018811295
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1077-6990

Abstract

Drawing on the 2012 American National Election Studies (ANES) panel data, this study explores the influence of the consumption of partisan information sources on affective polarization and investigates the mechanism underlying this relationship. The results show that exposure to pro-party television sources strengthens affective polarization among partisans. The polarizing effects of pro-party sources are mediated by the discrete negative emotions (i.e., anger and fear) toward presidential candidates. The study discusses the impact of selective exposure on deliberative and participatory democracies.