Mean World 2.0: Does Online Media Use Cultivate Beliefs About the World?

• In Event: Focusing Theories on Communication and Technology #2

Abstract

The Internet more and more becomes a serious competitor of television in terms of usage time and global distribution. Since online media – and especially social media – gain increasing importance in peoples’ daily lives, this research asks about the consequences of “heavy” online media use pertaining to users’ worldviews and beliefs about social reality. Drawing on cultivation theory, two-wave longitudinal online study was conducted to examine how different types of online media influence users’ mean and just world beliefs. Results showed that neither frequent use of SNS, microblogging, online video platforms, or news sites was related to the mean world belief. However, a higher frequency of using online news sites as well as a more positive perception of the online climate led to a greater personal just world belief. Moreover, frequent use of microblogging services and online video platforms tend to result in decreasing trust in other people.

Authors

• Leonie Roesner, U of Duisburg-Essen

• German Neubaum, U of Duisburg-Essen