Gwendelyn S. Nisbett

Influence of User Comments on Perceptions of Media Bias and Third-Person Effect in Online News

As online and mobile information technologies continue to become more commonplace, Americans are increasingly turning to these sources for news. Online news sites often allow readers to post comments about news stories. Using an experiment, the authors of this study sought to understand how user comments influence individual perceptions of media bias and third person perception in online political news. Results indicate that user comments accompanying online content can influence perceptions of bias in media depictions of presidential candidates. Additionally, user comments can influence perceptions of how much online news affects the political attitudes of others (third-person perception).

Smoking Is So Ew!: College Smokers’ Reactions to Health- Versus Social-Focused Antismoking Threat Messages

ABSTRACT This study utilizes Terror Management Theory (TMT) to examine differences between eliciting social death and physical death anxiety related to smoking, smoking attitudes, and quitting intent among college students. Moreover, an important TMT variable—self-esteem—was used as a moderator. A 2 × 3 between-subjects factorial design crossed smoking-based self-esteem (low, high) with mortality salience manipulation (health-focused, social-focused, control). Results suggest while both making health-focused salient and making social-focused mortality salient were effective at getting smokers to quit, there was less effect for health-focused mortality salience on those whose self-esteem is strongly tied to smoking. Effect of social-focused mortality salience was more pronounced among participants who highly linked self-esteem with smoking. For smokers with low smoking-based self-esteem, both health-focused and social-focused mortality salience were effective at motivating attitude change toward smoking and quitting intentions. Implications for smoking cessation ad design and TMT are discussed.

“I’m Demi and I Have Bipolar Disorder”: Effect of Parasocial Contact on Reducing Stigma Toward People With Bipolar Disorder

Examining celebrity influence, participants (N = 594) completed an experiment to see if negative stereotypes toward bipolar disorder could be reduced as a function of mode of disease disclosure from a celebrity (Demi Lovato) diagnosed with the condition. Respondents were randomly assigned to view one of three conditions where the celebrity discusses her battle with bipolar disorder (or a comparison message). Measures assessing parasocial relationship (PSR), level of parasocial interaction (PSI), transportation, social distance towards, and negative stereotypes about people with bipolar disorder were used. Social distance and negative stereotypes toward people with bipolar disorder reduced significantly following exposure to Demi Lovato’s disclosure about the disease via either TV/magazine interview. Implications of results for how celebrity disease disclosures may help reduce stigma toward bipolar condition are discussed.

Exploring the influence of celebrities in politics: A focus group study of young voters

ABSTRACT A focus group study was conducted examining the way young voters interpret and make sense of celebrity influence in politics. Eight focus groups discussed the credibility and influence of celebrities when they speak on political and social issues. Findings suggest that young people have a complex interpretation of celebrity influence. Celebrity type, general credibility, identification with, and appropriateness to an issue were all key components in evaluating celebrity political credibility. Perceived influence of celebrities manifested in a greater interest in an issue but not necessarily an attitude change. There was a high degree of perceived influence on others; this was not always regarded positively. Social media was the primary medium for consumption of celebrity political appeals. An interweaving of all key themes suggests that young voters use aspirational identification and attachment to a celebrity to negotiate political messages. Normative implications and guidance for future research are discussed.

Don’t Mess with My Happy Place: Understanding Misogyny in Fandom Communities

Pop culture genres and fandoms are booming in popularity, aided by social media and comic con fan events. From Harry Potter to Doctor Who and Star Wars, an increasingly diverse group of fans are able to connect, collaborate, and celebrate their favorite fandoms. With an increase in participation, however, comes an increase in tensions within communities traditionally dominated by men. Given previous research and events where men within fandoms rejected the influx of female fans, the current project explores how misogyny impacts participation and enjoyment of fan culture. This study collected qualitative responses from fandom participants at a large fan event (comic con). Participants were asked about fandom activities and the presence of misogyny within their communities. Findings suggest, in line with previous research on geek culture misogyny, that women are still regarded as second-tier fans. Women are regularly viewed as neither committed nor knowledgeable enough to participate in fandom culture. Moreover, women are often objectified and harassed in social media fandom spaces. Reasons for fandom misogyny as well as improvements to inspire more tolerant and inclusive fandom communities are discussed.

#IfTheyGunnedMeDown: An Analysis of Mainstream and Social Media in the Ferguson, Missouri, Shooting of Michael Brown

Focusing on the hashtag #IfTheyGunnedMeDown, this study examined the framing of mainstream newspaper coverage of social media activism in the aftermath of the 2014 police shooting of Michael Brown ...Focusing on the hashtag #IfTheyGunnedMeDown, this study examined the framing of mainstream newspaper coverage of social media activism in the aftermath of the 2014 police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. People of color primarily used the hashtag to draw attention to what they perceived as negative stereotypes perpetuated by the news media. The study employed a textual analysis of news coverage combined with semistructured interviews with hashtag-protest participants. The analysis found that the mainstream media followed news production rituals by relying primarily on elite, established sources and generally ignoring the social media protestors’ voices. The social media protestors who used the hashtag said they used it to bypass the mainstream media, and this research indicates they may well have done so and possibly reached a younger generation that relies more on social media than legacy media.

Promoting Mental Health Resource Use on Campus by “Trying Something New”

Purpose: To design and test a persuasive health promotion campaign that aligns with the qualities of trying something new for the first time. Given that a majority of students have not previously sought/considered professional mental health assistance before, the hypothesis tested in this study asked whether a campaign that takes this into account is effective with this audience. Design: Participants viewed an online informational message (n = 84), information message plus first-time experience banner (n = 99), or 1 of 4 full campaigns, each depicting a student story and photo about a first-time experience (moving from home [n = 48], skydiving [n = 52], acting in a play [n = 48], and exercising with personal trainer [n = 48]). Measures: Visual poster items: appeal (visually pleasing, 7 items, α = .92), support (value of poster, 5 items, α = .86) and behavioral intention items: engagement (participant seek help/pay attention, 3 items, α = .86), relevance (content as relevant, 3 items, α = .84), and judgment (judgment of others for not seeking help, 2 items, α = .87). Participants: College students (N = 380). Results: In comparison to information-only messages, framing mental health help seeking as a first-time experience was linked with increased appeal, support, and engagement (Minformationonly = 2.79 [standard deviation, SD = 1.34], Minformationplusbanner = 3.25 [SD = 1.23], Mfullcampaign = 4.07 [SD = 1.28], P < .001, Minformationonly = 4.38 [SD = 1.47], Minformationplusbanner = 4.92 [SD = 1.21], Mfullcampaign = 4.57 [SD = 1.26], P = .014, and Minformationonly = 3.13 [SD = 1.76], Minformationplusbanner = 3.56 [SD = 1.48], Mfullcampaign = 4.02 [SD = 1.42], P < .001, respectively). As anticipated, the full campaign garnered the highest affect and engagement scores. When comparing the 4 first-time experiences, there were main effects on support and engagement (Mtrain = 5.06 [SD = 1.17], Mplane = 4.27 [SD = 1.28], Mhome = 4.59 [SD = 1.19], Mplay = 4.38 [SD = 1.29], P = .009 and Mtrain = 4.50 [SD = 1.27], Mplane = 3.75 [SD = 1.43], Mhome = 4.01 [SD = 1.49], Mplay = 3.84 [SD = 1.39], P = .042, respectively), with the novel experience of “working with a personal trainer” rated highest. Conclusion: Findings from this study have implications for the design of health promotion materials on college campuses. Specifically, campaigns that frame seeking help for mental health as a new experience potentially increase student engagement in this behavior. A key finding from the present study is that a campaign in which this behavior is linked to a familiar form of interpersonal help seeking (personal training) can create receptivity to the stigmatized issue of mental health help seeking.

Does Sport Celebrity Advocacy Work? Testing the Potential for Endorsements to Backfire

ABSTRACT Fandom and psychological reactance theory, a framework for understanding reactions to messages perceived to limit an individual’s freedom to choose freely, are used to examine the influence of sports celebrities. An experiment was conducted (n = 283) to examine the impact of source similarity and controlling language use on reactance levels and message evaluations. Findings suggest that sources perceived to be similar generated less reactance than dissimilar sources. Similar source messages were also linked to greater potential for information-seeking behavior. High- versus low-controlling language use was examined in conjunction with similarity; low-controlling language was found to generate the least reactance regardless of source similarity. Implications for the use of celebrity advocacy in marketing and public relations are discussed.

Midterm Voters: An Investigation of the Heuristic Systematic Processing Model and Political Advertisements

Political advertising has a rich history. Some political advertisements have shown to be quite damaging toward candidates. For instance, George W. Bush’s “swift boat” ad during the 2004 campaign proved quite destructive to the Kerry campaign, ultimately damaging Kerry’s credibility as a veteran. However, advertisements are not always damaging. While political ads have shown a strong, rich history, the effects of political advertising have been somewhat mixed and inconclusive.