Setting the Political Culture Agenda

Agenda-setting research undisputedly gives mass media the credit for Citizens' political learning (McCombs, 2004). Moreover, it emphasizes the consequences of agenda-setting effects for the formation of political attitudes (Iyengar & Kinder, 1987) and attitude strength (Kiousis & McCombs, 2004; Weaver, 1991). Yet, as Kiousis and McDevitt (2008) point out, “only a small body of research has examined agenda-setting behavioral outcomes” despite the importance of the research that expands “the boundaries of the theory to connect it with broader processes of public opinion, civic participation, and political development” (p. 482).