|
|
Article: THE INFLUENCE OF KNOWLEDGE AND DEFERENCE TOWARD SCIENTIFIC AUTHORITY: A MEDIA EFFECTS MODEL FOR PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARD NANOTECHNOLOGY
- Article from:
- Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly
- Article date:
- December 1, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Winter 2006. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
|
Previous research suggests both cognitive and affective variables can impact how the public thinks about new scientific developments such as nanotechnology. Most studies have not explored the origins of these variables or their simultaneous, interactive influences on public opinion. Using national telephone survey data (N=706), we examine the pathways between different types of media use and attitudes toward nanotechnology, particularly potential mediating roles of nanotechnology knowledge and deference toward scientific authority. People relying on newspapers and the Internet for science information report higher levels of nanotechnology knowledge, while respondents using science TV showed ...