Spiral of Dis-Identification: A New Look at Negative Attitudes Towards Politics

• In Event: (Mis)Information, (Mis)Perception, and (Dis)Identification

Abstract

Public opinion surveys show that citizens’ motivation to engage in politics is on the decline. One explanation is increasing negative attitudes towards politics which itself is often attributed to media coverage of the political sphere (“media malaise”). Based on dissonance theory and the constructs of internal and external efficacy we are offering an additional explanation. We assume that the experience of dissonance between the image of the self (internal efficacy) and the real capability of dealing with complex political issues creates a state of dissonance that leads to dis-identification with politics (lower external efficacy) and, consequently, a declining interest in political news - leading to a downward spiral. We have tested our hypotheses in a panel survey before the German federal elections 2013 and found evidence for this process. As a regular use of professional news media significantly affects internal efficacy this unveils a direct relationship between patterns of news consumption and support for the political system.

Authors

• Wolfgang Donsbach, Technical U - Dresden

• Cornelia Mothes, Ohio State University

• Anna-Maria Schielicke, Technical U of Dresden

• Isabelle Freiling, University of Technology Dresden