Influence of Gossip Media on Political Attitudes of Various Thinkers

Abstract

This study sought to look at how people of different levels of need for cognition are influenced by hidden political messages in gossip media. Results were collected by testing college students on their opinions on gun control and crime related issues before and after consuming a piece of biased gossip media, nonbiased gossip (control) media, and biased news media. This study found that high need for cognition people were influenced by biased media significantly more than those low in need for cognition. Despite the frivolous appearance of gossip media, this study found that both gossip and news media were significant influencers of opinion, but only for high need for cognition individuals and on separate issues.