PROCESS MODELING OF MISREPRESENTATIVE PARTISAN MODERATORS TO FACTUAL POLITICIZED ISSUES

Abstract

Using the model for data analysis proposed by Blake, Donaway, and Reineke as adapted from the Hayes PROCESS model, this analysis intends to continue research based on “knowledge gaps”, “belief gaps”, and “motivated misperception” Blake et. al., first explored (Tichenor, Donohue & Olien, 1970; Hindman, 2009; Meirick, 2012; Hayes, 2013; Blake et. al, 2015). Based on secondary analysis of American National Election Studies data, this study questioned the impact of education, politicized media usage, and partisan ideology on the acceptance of mistaken, partisan-motivated belief. The study found that overall, higher education reduced the likelihood of misbelief, though higher education also intensified the acceptance by partisan-motivated respondents of whatever outcome they believed, true or false.