Creating the Hybrid Field of Political Communication: A Five-Decade-Long Evolution of the Concept of Effects

This set of flashcards covers key concepts from the lecture on the evolution of political communication, defining terminology and theories relevant to the field.

Political Communication

A hybrid field that studies the interplay of communication and political behavior, examining how media influences public perception and behavior.

Minimal Effects Model

A theory suggesting that media has limited effects on audience opinions and behaviors, often reinforcing existing beliefs rather than changing them.

Agenda Setting

The process by which the media influences the importance placed on the topics of the public agenda, determining what issues are seen as important.

Two-Step Flow

A theory of communication that suggests media effects are mediated by opinion leaders who interpret messages for others, rather than being a direct influence on the masses.

Spiral of Silence

A theory that posits individuals may be reluctant to express their opinions if they perceive themselves to be in the minority, leading to a silencing of dissent.

Interpersonal Communication

A form of communication that occurs between individuals, influencing political attitudes and perceptions more than mass media in certain contexts.

Framing Effects

The way information is presented by the media influences how audiences interpret and understand that information.

Constructionism

An approach in social sciences emphasizing that reality is constructed through social processes, including communication and discourse.

Political Discourse

The way political language interacts with issues and shapes public perception and behavior, revealing underlying power structures.

Cross-Disciplinary Research

A research approach that integrates methods and theories from multiple disciplines to provide a more comprehensive understanding of a phenomenon.