Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 19, 2025
06:42
Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation of the Posterior Medial Frontal Cortex to Experimentally Reduce Ideological Threat Responses
Published on: September 28, 2018
11.7K
Different Standards: Observing Variation in Citizens' Respect-Based Norms for Mediated Political Communication
Emma Turkenburg1, Ine Goovaerts2, Sofie Marien3
1Assistant Professor, Strategic Communication Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Public Opinion Quarterly
|June 16, 2025
Summary
Political communication norms matter. Citizens who support respectful discourse react more strongly to politicians' disrespect, impacting their political trust and engagement.
Area of Science:
- Political Communication
- Social Psychology
- Public Opinion
Background:
- Widespread concern exists regarding disrespectful political communication (incivility, lying).
- Adverse consequences are theorized, but citizen support for communication norms is understudied.
- Little is known about how norm support influences reactions to perceived norm violations.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate variations in citizen support for respect-based norms in mediated elite communication.
- Examine if differing norm support levels moderate reactions to perceived political norm violations.
- Analyze effects on political affect, trust, political discussion, and information seeking.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Belgian survey data from 2,030 citizens.
- Assessed levels of support for various respect-based communication norms.
- Measured perceived norm violations and political outcomes.
Main Results:
- Substantial variation in norm support found across the population, linked to demographics and political attitudes.
- Higher norm support correlated with more negative reactions to perceived norm violations.
- The moderating effect varied depending on the specific norm and outcome studied.
Conclusions:
- Respectful communication is not universally prioritized; individuals react differently to norm violations.
- Citizen support for communication norms significantly influences responses to political disrespect.
- Understanding norm variation is crucial for analyzing the impact of political communication.
Related Concept Videos
00:52Social Proof
28.8K
Social proof is a form of persuasion based on comparison and conformity. People compare their behavior and actions to what others are doing and will change to conform to do what their peers do.
28.8K
01:30Social Foundations of Self IV: Self in Digital Communication
3
Since the early 2000s, computer-mediated communication (CMC) has grown rapidly, playing a crucial role in self-development. A key distinction between CMC and real-life interactions is the lack of a physically present partner. This absence makes non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, body language, and paralinguistic signals unavailable in CMC platforms like email, instant messaging, or social media. The lack of these cues can create ambiguity and complicate how feedback is interpreted.The...
3
01:20Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
8
According to George Herbert Mead, as children progress beyond the game stage, they develop a more comprehensive understanding of societal rules and norms. This cognitive and social development enables them to internalize the expectations of the broader community, refining their ability to regulate behavior.Consistent participation in organized activities is crucial in helping children recognize that their actions are not isolated but contribute to a more significant, interconnected group...
8
02:12Relationship Formation
41.3K
What do you think is the single most influential factor in determining with whom you become friends and whom you form romantic relationships? You might be surprised to learn that the answer is simple: the people with whom you have the most contact. This most important factor is proximity. You are more likely to be friends with people you have regular contact with. For example, there are decades of research that shows that you are more likely to become friends with people who live in your dorm,...
41.3K
01:20Conformity
45.5K
Conformity is the change in a person’s behavior to go along with the group, even if that person does not agree with the group.
45.5K
01:30Self Within Cultural Contexts
5
Cultural frameworks for understanding the self are often categorized into two broad orientations: individualism and collectivism. These paradigms influence how people define themselves, relate to others, and interpret their social worlds. Each orientation offers distinct perspectives on autonomy, responsibility, and the role of the individual within a community.Individualistic CulturesIn individualistic cultures like North America and Western Europe, identity is understood as autonomous and...
5