The concept of `videomalaise' was first used in America in the 1970s to describe the dual phenomenon of a loss of trust in political institutions and individuals' increasing reliance on television as a means of obtaining political information. Could it be that the particular features of political programming caused political malaise? Using West German survey data, the research presented here tests the validity of the videomalaise thesis. No connection was found between political malaise and the contents of political programming which leads to the conclusion that the videomalaise thesis is unwarranted. Instead, political alienation and low participation are related to the use made of entertainment content in both television and the press.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Becker, Lee B.
and Jeffrey W. Fruit (1980) `The Growth of TV Dependence: Tracing the Origins of the Political Malaise'. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the International Communication Association, Acapulco.
2.
Becker, Lee B.
, Idowu A. Sobowale and William E. Casey Jr. (1979) `Newspaper and Television Dependencies: Effects on Evaluations of Public Officials', Journal of Broadcasting23(4): 465-475.
3.
Becker, Lee B.
and D. Charles Whitney (1980) `Effects of Media Dependencies. Audience Assessment of Government', Communication Research7(1): 95-120.
4.
Chaffee, Steven H.
and Joan Schleuder (1986) `Measurement and Effects of Attention to Media News', Human Communication Research13(1): 76-107.
5.
Converse, Philip E.
(1972) `Change in the American Electorate', pp. 263-337 in A. Campbell and P. E. Converse (eds), The Human Meaning of Change. New York: Russell Sage Foundation.
6.
Easton, David
(1965) A Systems Analysis of Political Life. New York: Wiley.
7.
Gamson, William A.
(1968) Power and Discontent. Homewood: Dorsey Press.
8.
Gamson, William A.
(1971) `Political Trust and Its Ramifications', pp. 40-55 in G. Abcarian and J. W. Soule (eds), Social Psychology and Political Behavior: Problems and Prospects. Columbus: Charles E. Merrill.
9.
Horkheimer, Max
and Theodor W. Adorno (1971) `Kulturindustrie. Aufklärung als Massenbetrug', pp. 108-150 in M. Horkheimer and T. W. Adorno (eds), Dialektik der Aufklärung. Frankfurt: Suhrkamp.
10.
Kaid, Lynda Lee
, Wayne M. Towers and Sandra L. Myers (1981) `Television Docudrama and Political Cynicism: A Study of “Washington Behind Closed Doors” ', Social Science Quarterly62(1): 161-168.
11.
Lazarsfeld, Paul F.
and Robert K. Merton (1948) `Mass Communication, Popular Taste, and Organized Social Action', pp. 95-118 in L. Bryson (ed.), The Communication of Ideas. New York: Harper.
12.
McLeod, Jack M.
and Daniel G. McDonald (1985) `Beyond Simple Exposure. Media Orientations and Their Impact on Political Processes', Communication Research12(1): 3-33.
13.
Miller, Arthur H.
(1974) `Political Issues and Trust in Government: 1964-1970', American Political Science Review68(4): 951-972.
14.
Miller, Arthur H.
, Edie N. Goldenberg and Lutz Erbring (1979) `Type-Set Politics: Impact of Newspapers on Public Confidence', American Political Science Review73(1): 67-84.
15.
Miller, M. Mark
and Stephen D. Reese (1982) `Media Dependency as Interaction. Effects of Exposure and Reliance on Political Activity and Efficacy', Communication Research9(2): 227-248.
16.
O'Keefe, Garrett
(1980) `Political Malaise and Reliance on Media', Journalism Quarterly57 (spring): 122-128.
17.
Postman, Neil
(1985) Wir amüsieren uns zu Tode. Urteilsbildung im Zeitalter der Unterhaltungsindustrie. Frankfurt: S. Fischer.
18.
Robinson, Michael J.
(1974) `The Impact of the Televised Watergate Hearings', Journal of Communication24(2): 17-30.
19.
Robinson, Michael J.
(1975) `American Political Legitimacy in an Era of Electronic Journalism: Reflections on the Evening News', pp. 97-139 in D. Cater and R. Adler (eds), Television as a Social Force: New Approaches to TV Criticism. New York, London: Praeger.
20.
Robinson, Michael J.
(1976) `Public Affairs Television and the Growth of Political Malaise: The Case of “The Selling of the Pentagon” ', American Political Science Review70(3): 409-432.
21.
Robinson, Michael J.
(1977) `Television and American Politics: 1956-1976', Public Interest48(1): 3-39.
22.
Sigelman, Lee
and Carol K. Sigelman (1974) `The Politics of Popular Culture: Campaign Cynicism and “The Candidate” ', Sociology and Social Research58(2): 272-277.
23.
Volgy, Thomas J.
and John E. Schwarz (1980) `On Television Viewing and Citizens' Political Attitudes, Activity, and Knowledge: Another Look at the Impact of Media on Politics', Western Political Quarterly33(2): 212-234.
24.
Zimmer, Troy A.
(1983) `Local News Exposure and Local Government Alienation', Social Science Quarterly64(3): 634-640.
