Benjamin Warner
University of Missouri Columbia, Communication, Faculty Member
Existing research on the effect of social media use on political behavior has yielded mixed results to date, demonstrating the importance of research examining the effects of varying types of social media communication on political... more
Existing research on the effect of social media use on political behavior has yielded mixed results to date,
demonstrating the importance of research examining the effects of varying types of social media communication
on political behavior. The experiment reported in this study provides valuable insights into the
role of social media in elections. A longitudinal experiment was conducted to assess the effect Facebook
use in the 2012 Presidential election had on political information efficacy, external efficacy, and political
engagement. Results suggested that while political information efficacy and engagement increased over
time, it was not related to following candidates on Facebook.
demonstrating the importance of research examining the effects of varying types of social media communication
on political behavior. The experiment reported in this study provides valuable insights into the
role of social media in elections. A longitudinal experiment was conducted to assess the effect Facebook
use in the 2012 Presidential election had on political information efficacy, external efficacy, and political
engagement. Results suggested that while political information efficacy and engagement increased over
time, it was not related to following candidates on Facebook.
Research Interests:
This study analyzes the effect of viewing a presidential campaign debate on political polarization. The results of quasi-experimental debate studies of all three presidential general election debates in 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012 as well... more
This study analyzes the effect of viewing a presidential campaign debate on political polarization. The results of quasi-experimental debate studies of all three presidential general election debates in 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012 as well as vice-presidential debates in 2008 and 2012 demonstrate a consistent effect; viewing a debate increased political polarization. However, pre-debate levels of polarization moderated this effect such that those viewers with very little polarization experienced the most significant increase and those who were highly polarized prior to viewing a debate experienced no significant change. Overall, our findings contribute to a growing body of research on the polarizing effects of campaign communication and raise important questions about how these effects should be interpreted in future research.
Research Interests:
This study responds to The Racine Group's (2002) call for campaign, debate research that explores "the trans-campaign effects of debates on such matters as voting behavior, image formation, and attitude change" (p. 199). Our analysis of... more
This study responds to The Racine Group's (2002) call for campaign, debate research that explores "the
trans-campaign effects of debates on such matters as voting behavior, image formation, and attitude change"
(p. 199). Our analysis of debate effects from 2000 to 2012 provides a number of important insights into how
presidential campaign debates function in different campaign contexts. Specifically, we examine debate effects
across multiple campaign periods, including analysis of the presidential election cycles and debates in 2000,
2004, 2008, and 2012; and we also explore campaign contexts in which incumbents are seeking reelection
(2004 and 2012) as well as "open" races with no incumbent president engaged in general election debates.
Finally, our analysis allows for comparative assessments across different types of debates as we include viewer
responses to both Democrat and Republican primary and general election debates, as well as vice presidential
debates. Overall, our findings support existing presidential debate research, provide a greater understanding of
specific debate effects, and also raise a number of intriguing questions for future research.
trans-campaign effects of debates on such matters as voting behavior, image formation, and attitude change"
(p. 199). Our analysis of debate effects from 2000 to 2012 provides a number of important insights into how
presidential campaign debates function in different campaign contexts. Specifically, we examine debate effects
across multiple campaign periods, including analysis of the presidential election cycles and debates in 2000,
2004, 2008, and 2012; and we also explore campaign contexts in which incumbents are seeking reelection
(2004 and 2012) as well as "open" races with no incumbent president engaged in general election debates.
Finally, our analysis allows for comparative assessments across different types of debates as we include viewer
responses to both Democrat and Republican primary and general election debates, as well as vice presidential
debates. Overall, our findings support existing presidential debate research, provide a greater understanding of
specific debate effects, and also raise a number of intriguing questions for future research.
Research Interests:
A significant number of Americans express sympathies for conspiracy theories about Barack Obama's birth and George Bush's role in the 9/11 attacks. This study sought to test the role of ideological media in perpetuating these beliefs.... more
A significant number of Americans express sympathies for conspiracy theories about Barack Obama's birth and George Bush's role in the 9/11 attacks. This study sought to test the role of ideological media in perpetuating these beliefs. Specifically, experiments were conducted to determine if ideologically homogeneous media echo-chambers could cultivate belief in conspiracy theories and whether debunking information would reverse this belief. Results found that media echo-chambers increased belief in conspiracy theories though debunking information reversed or minimized this effect. Results confirm the role of ideological media in spreading extremist attitudes but also demonstrate the value of debunking efforts.
Research Interests:
When Rush Limbaugh made his now famous remarks about Sandra Fluke's Congressional testimony he set off a social media firestorm. The ensuing backlash cost Limbaugh many prominent advertisers and damaged his public image. In this study, we... more
When Rush Limbaugh made his now famous remarks about Sandra Fluke's Congressional testimony he set off a social media firestorm. The ensuing backlash cost Limbaugh many prominent advertisers and damaged his public image. In this study, we examine the characteristics that motivated some to engage in the social media conversation while others remained on the sidelines. We find that political information efficacy, or confidence that one has the knowledge and skills necessary to participate, dictate political engagement online. We discuss the implications of this finding for radio, communication and media scholars, and healthy democratic deliberation among young Americans.
This article argues that digital media, by fragmenting people into ideologically homogeneous interest groups, polarizes society. Further, this polarization risks the transformation of agonistic political engagement into antagonistic... more
This article argues that digital media, by fragmenting people into ideologically homogeneous interest groups, polarizes society. Further, this polarization risks the transformation of agonistic
political engagement into antagonistic ideological combat. As evidence of this danger, the authors examine the case of Howard Dean’s 2004 presidential primary blogs. In these blogs, a rhetorical vision emerges of a dramatic fight between Dean’s heroic supporters and the villainous Republicans, media elite, and Democratic challengers. Examples from Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign blogs are offered as a counterpoint to the antagonism found in Dean’s blogs. The authors argue that the type of political drama evident in the Dean blogs invite antagonism that undermines cross-group cooperation and thus weakens democratic culture.
political engagement into antagonistic ideological combat. As evidence of this danger, the authors examine the case of Howard Dean’s 2004 presidential primary blogs. In these blogs, a rhetorical vision emerges of a dramatic fight between Dean’s heroic supporters and the villainous Republicans, media elite, and Democratic challengers. Examples from Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign blogs are offered as a counterpoint to the antagonism found in Dean’s blogs. The authors argue that the type of political drama evident in the Dean blogs invite antagonism that undermines cross-group cooperation and thus weakens democratic culture.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Abstract This study of the 2008 first presidential and vice presidential debate builds on past research on viewers' perceptions of candidate images. Going back to the Kennedy-Nixon debates in 1960, image research has been... more
Abstract This study of the 2008 first presidential and vice presidential debate builds on past research on viewers' perceptions of candidate images. Going back to the Kennedy-Nixon debates in 1960, image research has been conducted in most presidential election cycles. Findings ...