Political Discussion on Facebook: An Analysis of Interpersonal Goals and Disagreement

Abstract

This study investigates the processes that motivate, constrain, and shape political conversations on Facebook. Through an analysis of the Goals-Plans-Action model and the Political Interpersonal Communication index, this study finds that Facebook political conversations are primarily motivated by cognitive engagement and primarily constrained by personal standards regarding the appropriateness of discussing politics on Facebook. These conversations are further shaped by desires to create positive impressions. This study also examines the effects of disagreement on Facebook political conversations. Findings indicate that perceived disagreement does influence political activity on Facebook, though this relationship varies according to individual levels of tolerance for disagreement, political information efficacy, and political extremism. Overall, this study contributes to political disagreement scholarship and demonstrates the unique contributions of both interpersonal and political communication theory in the area of interpersonal political communication.