ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we survey various areas of political communication research ranging from micro-psychological effects to broader systemic effects. Relative to our chapter in Bryant and Zillmann’s (2002) last volume on media effects (McLeod, Kosicki, & McLeod, 2002), this chapter is focused on specific types of political communication effects, omitting sections on the social and political contexts for effects, media content, and normative concerns about democratic functioning. We start by defining the boundaries of political communication research and then discuss: (1) individual-level effects, (2) conditional models of effects, and (3) systemic effects of political communication. We contextualize most of the major topics in political communication research, several of which are covered in greater detail in other chapters in this volume including agendasetting, framing, and civic participation. Cites are provided as examples and are not exhaustive.
