Date of Award
Fall 2019
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Communication
First Advisor
Ugland, Erik
Second Advisor
Chattopadhyay, Sumana
Third Advisor
Gilkerson, Nathan
Abstract
This research sought to identify to what extent news media consumption plays a role in forming an individual’s political identity and their views on individual stances. The subsequent novel quantitative study asked students of various disciplines at Marquette University questions in regards to how much they pay attention to various news sources, to what extent they trust those news sources, and their views on individual issues as they relate to their chosen political identity. Results from the study found basic trends in regards to selected news sources and one’s political disposition. Furthermore, stances on certain issues, like border security, were found to be more heavily shaped by media consumption patterns, showing the power of how news media frames issues. This study can be thought of as a precursor for more expansive research that could include a more representative sample of the American population.