Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Weaver, D.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

© 1991 World Association for Public Opinion Research

ISSUE SALIENCE AND PUBLIC OPINION: ARE THERE CONSEQUENCES OF AGENDA-SETTING?

David Weaver

Abstract

Recent studies have suggested that agenda-setting may influence not only what we think about, but also what we think. This study examines the correlations between the salience of one issue (the federal budget deficit) and public knowledge, opinion, and behavior, using fall 1988 survey data. It finds statistically significant correlations between issue salience and knowledge about the deficit issue, strength and direction of opinion regarding one possible solution to the issue, and political behavior related to the issue. These correlations remain statistically significant in multiple regression analyses where demographics and media exposure and attention measures are controlled simultaneously and in hierarchical blocks. Taken together, the findings reported here suggest that increased salience of the deficit issue was accompanied by increased knowledge of its possible causes and solutions, stronger opinions, less likelihood of taking a neutral position, and more likelihood of participating in politics through such behavior as signing petitions, voting, attending meetings, and writing letters.


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Communication ResearchHome page
S. Kiousis and M. McDevitt
Agenda Setting in Civic Development: Effects of Curricula and Issue Importance on Youth Voter Turnout
Communication Research, August 1, 2008; 35(4): 481 - 502.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 Int J Public Opin ResHome page
T. Takeshita
Current Critical Problems in Agenda-Setting Research
Int. J. Public Opin. Res., September 1, 2006; 18(3): 275 - 296.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Int J Public Opin ResHome page
Y. J. Son and D. H. Weaver
Another Look at What Moves Public Opinion: Media Agenda Setting and Polls in the 2000 U.S. Election
Int. J. Public Opin. Res., June 1, 2006; 18(2): 174 - 197.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.