Changing times? The effect of The New York Times on college students' political information and behavior

Abstract

This study examines the impact of daily newspaper reading on college students' political beliefs, behavior, and opinions. Data were obtained from an experiment conducted at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Both the experimental and control groups were comprised of students meeting the American Government legislative requirement. The experimental group was required to read the New York Times on a daily basis. Identical pre- and posttests were administered to both groups. Questions were designed to identify issue concerns, issue saliency, level of issue information, thermometer ratings of political leaders and of foreign nations, beliefs concerning inequality and individual versus structural responsibility, opinion leadership, and media use. Analysis of the data indicate that interpersonal communication variables were most affected by the stimulus. Students in the experimental group reported they talked more frequently with others about politics and current events. Ethnic and gender differences were also observed.