Influence of the Internet on Politics
The internet is a valuable resource that many individuals have begun using to search for information, develop opinions, and make important decisions. When it comes to politics and elections, the number of people using the internet to find information about politics, candidates, and other campaign news has increased over the years. A study conducted in 2003, found that during the 2002 election roughly 22% of users searched the internet for campaign news (Horrigan, Rainie, & Cornfield, 2003). This percentage varies depending on research and participants, with some studies citing 40% of users searching for political information and news on the internet (Borgida & Stark, 2004). Users can find a variety of information on the internet that can influence how they perceive candidates, who they choose to vote for, and whether or not they decide to vote. Research done by Pew Research Center found that 22% of registered voters used social networking sites to let others know how they voted (Rainie, 2012). Along with seeing how others voted, many individuals are confronted with people told they should go vote and how they should vote. Being told to go vote can influence whether a person decides to vote and who that person actually ends up voting for.
Recent research from a study conducted in 2009, found that voters that engaged in social networking sites (SNS) related to a presidential candidate had higher ratings of homophily, which is the tendency of individuals to bond or associate with similar others, than those who did not engage in SNS (Powell, Richmond, & Williams, 2011). Individuals who participate in online groups tend to rate presidential candidate higher on background and attitudinal homophily than those who do not participate in online groups. This can be seen in research that found that both Obama and McCain’s online supporters rated them higher on both background and attitudinal homophily than supporters who did not participate in an online group (Powell, et al., 2011). This shows that the internet and online groups can have an influence on how individuals feel about certain candidates and the amount of homophily these people feel towards candidates of their choice.
The researchers also looked at information seeking and found that individuals with negative views of Barack Obama sought more information about him from the Internet (Powell, et al., 2011). Some information individuals find on the internet can either affirm or deny their previous beliefs and feelings about presidential candidates and can influence an individual’s opinions about certain candidates. Research has found that ratings for Obama on attitudinal homophily, background homophily, caring, character, and competence all had negative associations with information seeking, while social attraction, physical attraction, and task attraction ratings were all positively associated with information seeking (Powell, et al., 2011). Barack Obama’s online supporters also rated him higher on credibility than those who did not belong to social networking groups (Powell, et al., 2011). Research has found that voters partially developed interpersonal judgments about candidates based on online participation in SNS and groups. Research has also shown that individuals are using the internet to find a variety of information such as candidates positions, endorsements from other groups, and candidate ratings (Borgida & Stark, 2004). The way this information and much more is used can influence voter’s interpersonal judgments. People can be influenced by the sites themselves, other people on these SNS, and by the way they use these sites.
Some research has found that individuals resort to the internet as a reliable source of political information because they do not receive the information they are searching for from news sources such as newspapers and television (Borgida & Stark, 2004). People also use the internet because it is easily accessible and contains a variety of information that may not be found through other venues. Because of the wealth of information individuals can easily access and obtain, individuals can have more in-depth and detailed political conversations with others of similar or conflicting opinions via the internet. These conversations can influence individuals voting habits, candidate choice, and many other political opinions one may have.
Recent research from a study conducted in 2009, found that voters that engaged in social networking sites (SNS) related to a presidential candidate had higher ratings of homophily, which is the tendency of individuals to bond or associate with similar others, than those who did not engage in SNS (Powell, Richmond, & Williams, 2011). Individuals who participate in online groups tend to rate presidential candidate higher on background and attitudinal homophily than those who do not participate in online groups. This can be seen in research that found that both Obama and McCain’s online supporters rated them higher on both background and attitudinal homophily than supporters who did not participate in an online group (Powell, et al., 2011). This shows that the internet and online groups can have an influence on how individuals feel about certain candidates and the amount of homophily these people feel towards candidates of their choice.
The researchers also looked at information seeking and found that individuals with negative views of Barack Obama sought more information about him from the Internet (Powell, et al., 2011). Some information individuals find on the internet can either affirm or deny their previous beliefs and feelings about presidential candidates and can influence an individual’s opinions about certain candidates. Research has found that ratings for Obama on attitudinal homophily, background homophily, caring, character, and competence all had negative associations with information seeking, while social attraction, physical attraction, and task attraction ratings were all positively associated with information seeking (Powell, et al., 2011). Barack Obama’s online supporters also rated him higher on credibility than those who did not belong to social networking groups (Powell, et al., 2011). Research has found that voters partially developed interpersonal judgments about candidates based on online participation in SNS and groups. Research has also shown that individuals are using the internet to find a variety of information such as candidates positions, endorsements from other groups, and candidate ratings (Borgida & Stark, 2004). The way this information and much more is used can influence voter’s interpersonal judgments. People can be influenced by the sites themselves, other people on these SNS, and by the way they use these sites.
Some research has found that individuals resort to the internet as a reliable source of political information because they do not receive the information they are searching for from news sources such as newspapers and television (Borgida & Stark, 2004). People also use the internet because it is easily accessible and contains a variety of information that may not be found through other venues. Because of the wealth of information individuals can easily access and obtain, individuals can have more in-depth and detailed political conversations with others of similar or conflicting opinions via the internet. These conversations can influence individuals voting habits, candidate choice, and many other political opinions one may have.