Knowledge Gap Theory • Proposed by a team of researchers at the University of Minnesota Donohue, Tichenor, and Olien (1986) a theory of society concerning mass media and the use of media messages. What is Knowledge Gap • Systematic differences in knowledge between better-informed and less-informed segments of a population. Definition • “As the infusion of mass media information into a social system increases higher socioeconomic status segments tend to acquire this information faster than lower socioeconomic status population segments. Hence the gap in knowledge between the two tends to increase rather than decrease.” Knowledge gap research • Their model focused on the role played by news media in cities and towns of various sizes. • They found that news media systematically inform some segments of the population, specifically persons in higher socioeconomic groups, better than others. • Over time, the differences between the better-informed and the less-informed segments tend to grow—the knowledge gap between them gets larger and larger. • This research team conducted numerous surveys for twenty- five years to develop and support its theory. Theory • In this theory knowledge is treated as any other commodity which is not distributed equally throughout the society and the people at the top of the ladder has more easy access to it. • This theory was used in the presidential election and it is was seen that when a new idea invades in the society, the people of the higher strata understand it better and hence the gap expands. • But, events such as debates, free talks may help to reduce this gap. • Reduction of knowledge gaps increases social conflict. (it sparked widespread public discussion and information seeking). Reasons of the gap 1. Communication Skills 2. Stored information 3. Relevant Social Contact 4. Selective Exposure 5. Media Target Markets 1. Communication Skills • As a person receives more education, his communication skill increases and hence gathering information becomes easier for him. Along with this reading, understanding mad memory skills also become better and thus he understands the issues of various spheres better. 2. Stored information • Via classrooms, textbooks, discussions, educated person is exposed to much more topics than a less educated person and hence his awareness is more. 3. Relevant Social Contact • A person with more education has more social integration. This helps him to counter various perspectives, diverse stories etc. which makes his understanding of public issues better. 4. Selective Exposure • An educated person knows well of how to use optimum use of a medium while on the other hand a person with no knowledge is unlikely to know it. Hence he will be less aware of the issues around the world and less interested and may not also know of how it may affect him. 5. Media Target Markets • For every product, news or any commodity a certain segment is targeted and it is usually the higher strata of the society who is targeted and hence the lower strata remains unaware. Internet and knowledge gap • The Internet, with its presumed “democracy” and all- information all- the-time orientation, has reignited interest in knowledge gap theory. • There is a digital divide between affluent, better-educated young adults who regularly use the Internet for information and their less-affluent, less-educated peers who either don’t have access to the Internet or use it only for entertainment. • This divide is linked to gaps in knowledge. Internet & Social participation gap • The Internet is not changing the socio-economic character of civic engagement in America. • Educated and well off are more likely to participate in online political activities such as emailing a government official, signing an online petition, or making a political contribution than those less educated and less well off. Factors affecting knowledge gap • Variable access to media technologies • Individual differences – information-processing ability – level of cognitive complexity (how well one perceive things) – perceived value of being informed – Socio-economic status • Quality of the information presented by news organizations • Levels of news consumption Strengths • Identifies potentially troublesome gaps between groups. • Provides ideas for overcoming gaps • Presumes reciprocity and audience activity in communication is grounded in systems theory Weaknesses • Assumes gaps are always dysfunctional; not all researchers agree • Limits focus to gaps involving news and social conflicts • Can’t address fundamental reasons for gaps (e.g., poor schools or limited access to information sources)