HOSTILE POLITICAL TV LEADS TO NEGATIVE ATTITUDES ABOUT POLITICS COLUMBUS, Ohio - Political talk shows in which guests yell, scream and interrupt each other may attract more viewers - but a new study suggests it may be bad for our political system.
Diana Mutz Viewers who watched a supposedly real talk show where two political candidates engaged in a hostile, rude debate showed more negative attitudes toward Congress, politicians - and even the American political system -- than did viewers who watched a more courteous debate.
People who viewed the uncivil debates also remembered fewer of the arguments supporting the viewpoint they opposed - and were more likely to say the opposing arguments were not legitimate.
"Television depends on conflict to make politics seem less boring to the public and attract declining audiences, but that conflict comes with a price," said Diana Mutz, co-author of the study and professor of political science at Ohio State University.
"Hostile political talk shows such as Hardball, Meet the Press and the like affect not just attitudes toward candidates, but also have a negative impact on how viewers feel about politicians in general and the whole political system. Political programs that are interesting to watch may end up damaging public attitudes in a significant way," she said.
Mutz conducted the study with Justin Taylor, an Ohio State graduate student, and Byron Reeves, a professor of political science at Stanford University.
They presented their results this month in San Francisco at the annual meeting of the American Political Science Association.
Full Story: http://www.osu.edu/researchnews/archive/uncivil.htm
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