Media Influence on the Political Decision Making of College Students Aged 18-25

Date of Graduation

Spring 2005

Degree

Master of Arts in Communication

Department

Communication

Committee Chair

Donal Stanton

Abstract

This thesis compared the choices made by younger and older college students for political information gathering. Of special interest are the television medium, as a source for political information gather, and the media sources in combination with political issues evoking the most passion among college students. The study showed that the greatest percentage of college students use television as their primary source for news and political information. On the other hand, passion for political issues(s) was shown to be created by their religious affiliation. The significant finding of this study was that the electronic media play a key role for political information gathering and dissemination among college aged students. Television followed by the internet exerted the most influence on a college student’s worldview and opinions.

Keywords

factors influencing political behaviors, college students, television, voting patterns, parental involvement

Subject Categories

Communication

Copyright

© David W. Schultz

Citation-only

Dissertation/Thesis

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