Conditional Spirals? Understanding the Dynamics of Growth of Political Information Use and Political Interest During Late Adolescence

• In Event: Reinforcing Spirals in Political Communication: Methodological Boundaries, Challenges and Solutions

Abstract

This paper uses parallel growth curve modelling to analyse the relationship between online political usage and political interest among adolescents. The years leading up to the first elections are a key phase in political socialization (Sears, 2003). During this time, political information encountered through mass media and social media is crucial in shaping ideas about the political world (Chaffee & Kanihan, 1997, Moeller & de Vreese, 2013). However, attention and exposure to political information heavily depends on the pre-existing political interest (Strömbäck & Shehata, 2010). The more young voters already know and care about societal and political problems, the more likely they are to select political information and process is. Therefore, the relationship between political interest and attentive exposure to political information can be best understood as a reinforcing spiral (Slater, 2007), which is particularly noticeable during adolescence. The study contributes to our understanding of the development of political interest, a relative understudied variable.
The aim of this paper is twofold. First, we aim to provide evidence for the reinforcing spiral of exposure to political information and political interest. Second, we will identify which factors condition the reinforcing spiral. In particular we study three drivers: First, the level of involvement with political information. We expect that the more interactive the information is the stronger the reinforcing spiral well be (Hidi & Renninger, 2006). Second, we are interested in the socio-economic and demographic characteristics and finally social environment, in particular the level of political interest of peers and parents.
Methodologically, the study uses data from a unique political socialization project conducted in Sweden. Based on five waves of panel data among adolescents, covering a period of four years (2010-2014), we analyse the development of political interest and online engagement over time. Using parallel growth curve modelling, the findings show that both interest and online engagement increase over time – when adolescents get older, and that these growth processes are related. Overall, the findings strengthen the notion that especially specific forms of online political engagement (passive and interactive) shape the reinforcing spiral.

Authors

• Judith Moeller, U of Amsterdam

• Sanne Kruikemeier

• Adam Shehata, U of Gothenburg