Media Dependency os.Interaction: The Effects of Exposure and Reliance on Political Efficacy and Activity

Media dependency was. examined as a complex construct inVOlving the interactions of exposurer to television news, exposure to newspapers, and expression of reliance on one medium or the otIer. A weighted sample of 2,402 respondents was used, * representing the United States tatiohal population in 1976. 1 questionnaire assessed.each subjectts-political activity, perceived efficacy of voting/political participation, television exposure, newspaper exposure, media reliance, age, educationalr'level, and family income. Contrary to previowsyresearch results, the;findings suggested that exposure to television news was not univer,Sally detrimental to politlical affect and behavior. For the malority of the sample who nailed 'television as the medium they relied on, television exposure P was positively related to perceived political efficacy and to psilitical activity. Television exposure was negatively related to efficacy and activity unless televisi.on was the relied upon medium. Newspaper exposure was positively related to theidependent variables except *Wen television was the relied upon medium- (AUthor/RL) ***************************************************T******************** * Reptodvqtions sUpplted by EDRS arte the best that can ba made *, * from the original'document.... * ************************************************************.**********