Selective Exposure Theory - Relation of C.S. Herrman's Exposure Theory

Relation of C.S. Herrman's Exposure Theory

Selective exposure refers to the choice of an information source that could potentially confirm that the option one prefers is the best alternative because it agrees with their own beliefs.

Basic assumptions of Herrman's theory:

• Exposure is a state of protected or unprotected risk or danger;
• Exposure can be positive (adaptive) or negative (maladaptive)
• Protected exposure presupposes the use of identification or projection to permit the feeling of security or safety despite the reality of risk or danger
• Unprotected exposure is a state of risk or danger without the availability of identification or projection to obviate feelings producing maladaptive paralysis

Application to Selective exposure processes:

• People desire protected exposure, so desire to identify with what induces such, for example, favored opinions
• People desire to avoid unprotected exposure, so attempt to project away from a possible identification with undesirable triggers/stimuli, thus away from undesirable ideas or ideologies