TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of network heterogeneity on social media on opinion polarization among South Koreans
T2 - Focusing on fear and political orientation
AU - Lee, Jiyoung
AU - Choi, Yunjung
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2019.
PY - 2020/3/1
Y1 - 2020/3/1
N2 - Recent studies have shown mixed findings regarding the relationship between network heterogeneity on social media and opinion polarization. Focusing on individual-level variables (i.e., individuals' political orientation, fear of a risky situation, and fear of an out-group), the objective of this study was to investigate opinion polarization over North Korean issues that have brought out threats to South Koreans and tangled with political orientations in the nation. Our analysis indicated that network heterogeneity on social media could decrease polarization. Moderation effects of political orientation and fear of political opponents in the relationship between network heterogeneity and polarization were also found. Findings of this study extend previous discussions regarding the relationship between network heterogeneity and polarization in the context of social media by concentrating on North Korea's threatening situation.
AB - Recent studies have shown mixed findings regarding the relationship between network heterogeneity on social media and opinion polarization. Focusing on individual-level variables (i.e., individuals' political orientation, fear of a risky situation, and fear of an out-group), the objective of this study was to investigate opinion polarization over North Korean issues that have brought out threats to South Koreans and tangled with political orientations in the nation. Our analysis indicated that network heterogeneity on social media could decrease polarization. Moderation effects of political orientation and fear of political opponents in the relationship between network heterogeneity and polarization were also found. Findings of this study extend previous discussions regarding the relationship between network heterogeneity and polarization in the context of social media by concentrating on North Korea's threatening situation.
KW - Fearfulness
KW - network heterogeneity
KW - political orientations
KW - public opinion survey
KW - social media
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85059686089&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1748048518820499
DO - 10.1177/1748048518820499
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85059686089
SN - 1748-0485
VL - 82
SP - 119
EP - 139
JO - International Communication Gazette
JF - International Communication Gazette
IS - 2
ER -