Two Sides of the Coin: Assessing the Influence of Social Network Site Use During the 2012 U.S. Presidential Campaign. (October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Weiwu; Seltzer, Trent; Bichard, Shannon L.
• Other Names: Baumgartner Jody C guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Social science computer review. Volume 31:Number 5(2013)
• Page Start: 542
• Page End: 551
• Publication Date: 2013-10
• Subjects: SNS -- political campaigns -- selective exposure -- democracy; Social sciences -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Computers -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Microcomputers -- Periodicals; Sciences sociales -- Informatique -- Périodiques; Micro-ordinateurs -- Périodiques; 300.285
• DOI: 10.1177/0894439313489962
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0894-4393

Abstract

The increasing popularity of social network sites (SNSs) in election campaigns provides a unique climate for scholarly inquiry. The study reported here builds upon Zhang, Johnson, Seltzer, and Bichard and investigates the impact of different types of SNS use on voters' attitudes and behavior during the 2012 U.S. presidential campaign. Sites such as Facebook, Google Plus, Twitter, and YouTube are included to offer a robust assessment of distinct relationships. A national online panel of Internet users was utilized to examine reliance on SNSs and the multiple consequences on political attitudes and behavior such as political participation, political interest, selective exposure, selective avoidance, and strength of party affiliation. The findings are evaluated for theoretical and practical implications on democratic governance.