A point/counterpoint pattern should, in theory, lead to more informed positions. But what if instead of informing, this pattern takes an existing position and makes it stronger? Inoculation theory suggests that it might, and this study assesses whether it does.

Josh Compton

This project shifts from considering a media effect of attitudinal change to a media effect of attitudinal resistance. I use inoculation theory to study how refutational preemption–a potential product of a point/counterpoint news pattern–may make existing viewer attitudes stronger and less likely to change.

Compton, J. (2012, April). Unintended inoculation in broadcast news: Could a point/counterpoint pattern inoculate against future attitudinal change? [poster presentation]. Broadcast Education Association, Las Vegas, NV, United States.