A New Era of Minimal Effects? The Changing Foundations of Political Communication

These flashcards cover key concepts related to political communication, audience behavior, and media's influence on public opinion as discussed in the article.

Minimal Effects Paradigm

A theory suggesting media has little direct influence on audiences' opinions, emphasizing social contexts and interpersonal communication.

Two-Step Flow Model

A communication theory proposed by Katz and Lazarsfeld that suggests media effects are mediated through opinion leaders.

Agenda-Setting Theory

A theory that describes how media tells people what to think about, shaping public discourse by highlighting specific issues.

Audience Fragmentation

The division of audiences into smaller, specialized groups due to the proliferation of media channels, leading to more individualized media consumption.

Selective Exposure

The tendency of individuals to favor information that aligns with their preexisting beliefs, leading to biased media consumption.

Political Polarization

The growing ideological gap and division between political parties and their supporters, affecting media consumption and public opinion.

Information Overload

A state in which an individual is exposed to an excessive amount of information, making it difficult to process and discern useful from useless content.

Social Capital

The networks, relationships, and norms that facilitate collective action within a community, which have diminished in modern society.

Public Sphere

A theoretical space where individuals gather to discuss and form opinions on political and social issues, which has been challenged by contemporary media dynamics.

Framing

The way media presents information and issues, shaping how audiences understand and interpret them.