Date Approved
2013
Date Posted
1-17-2014
Degree Type
Open Access Senior Honors Thesis
Department or School
Political Science
First Advisor
Dennis Patrick
Abstract
With the emergence of social media activity as a daily phenomenon for most Americans, online users are becoming greater consumers of political information, and are choosing to share that information through social media outlets. A virtual "watercooler effect" is created, in the form of online political debates and arguments. This study examines the connection between viewers of political comedy programmings (television shows like The Daily Show With Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report) and political discussion on social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter. Using a survey of EMU undergraduate students that measures political efficacy and media habits, in addition to an experiment comparing political comedy to traditional news coverage, this presentation will re-define the perception of younger voters as non-participants in the political system and generate discussion of new mediums of political participation in 21st century politics.
Recommended Citation
Abad, Andrew, "The virtual watercooler: Influences of political comedy on social media discussion" (2013). Senior Honors Theses and Projects. 370.
https://commons.emich.edu/honors/370