Appreciation of Pro-Attitudinal VersusrnCounter-Attitudinal Political Humor: A Cognitive Consistency Approach to the Study of Political Entertainment

摘要

This study highlights the explanatory principle of cognitive consistency as a foundationrnfor political entertainment research. More specifically, appreciation for pro- versusrncounter-attitudinal political humor is analyzed via one statewide (N = 304) and twornnational surveys (N = 1008, N = 786, respectively). Analyses reveal a preference for proattitudinalrnover counter-attitudinal humor. In addition, an assessment of pro- versusrncounter-attitudinal political humor appreciation serving as potential mediators of onernanother relative to political party identification is offered. Pro-attitudinal politicalrnhumor appreciation serves as the stronger mediator, but a full range of mediationbasedrnprocesses are evident. Implications and potential future lines of research arerndetailed.