Third Person Perceptions in the Agenda Setting Process -
Towards an Integration of Two Key Concepts
Abstract
One of the most challenging tasks in the current theoretical discussion of media effects
refers to the integration of formerly isolated theoretical concepts. While agenda setting has
already been linked to priming and framing via the concept of second level agenda setting, the
task of the following paper is a closer inspection of third person perceptions (TPP) within the
agenda setting process. We argue that part of the agenda-setting function of the mass media is
to inform recipients what others believe to be important. This provides the conceptual link
between the two concepts. Along these lines of thought, a theoretical model of agenda-setting
effects is outlined in which perceptual components play an important role in the conceived
process of media influence.
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