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Maxwell McCombs & Donald Shaw

Agenda-Setting Theory

  • The process of shaping an audience's social reality,  by calling attention to an event or issue.  

How Media Shapes Reality 

(Koch & Peter, 2017; Riddle, 2010, Roche; Pickett & Gertz, 2016)  

  • News media acts as "gatekeeper," deciding what topics should be focused on by the public (Koch & Peter, 2017; Riddle, 2010, Roche; Pickett & Gertz, 2016)   

"Prioritizing"
"Example of Agenda-setting/ Framing"
Media Agenda

(Koch & Peter, 2017)

  • Media and press shape reality, rather than reflect public opinions (Koch & Peter, 2017)

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  • Media exposure places stories in a hierarchy of importance, prioritizing narratives for the public 

Agenda-setting Video Explanation 

  • This video provides a brief description of the major points of Agenda-Setting Theory 

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  • This video also introduces the associated concept of Framing to the viwer 

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  • Click play button to watch video, and learn more about Agenda-Setting​ Theory

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References

  • Koch, T., & Peter, C. (2017). EFFECTS OF EQUIVALENCE FRAMING ON              THE PERCEIVED TRUTH OF POLITICAL MESSAGES AND                            THE TRUSTWORTHINESS OF POLITICIANS. Public Opinion                          Quarterly, 81(4), 847-865.

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  • Riddle, K. (2010). Always on My Mind: Exploring How Frequent, Recent, and              Vivid Television Portrayals Are Used in the Formation of Social Reality                 Judgments. Media Psychology, 13(2), 155-179.

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  • Roche, S; Pickett, J., & Gertz, M. (2016). The Scary World of Online News?                 Internet News Exposure and Public Attitudes Toward Crime and                             Justice. Journal Of Quantitative Criminology, 32(2), 215-236.

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