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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

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Theses/Dissertations

Social media

Political Science

Eastern Michigan University

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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

The Virtual Watercooler: Influences Of Political Comedy On Social Media Discussion, Andrew Abad Jan 2013

The Virtual Watercooler: Influences Of Political Comedy On Social Media Discussion, Andrew Abad

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

With the emergence of social media activity as a daily phenomenon for most Americans, online users are becoming greater consumers of political information, and are choosing to share that information through social media outlets. A virtual "watercooler effect" is created, in the form of online political debates and arguments. This study examines the connection between viewers of political comedy programmings (television shows like The Daily Show With Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report) and political discussion on social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter. Using a survey of EMU undergraduate students that measures political efficacy and media habits, …