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Abstract
Using a controversial issue that has drawn massive media coverage in South Korea, the government decision to resume imports of US beef, this study tested the applicability of the Situational Theory of Problem Solving (STOPS) to the rise of a hot-issue public. A survey of 300 respondents explored the perceptual, cognitive, and motivational antecedents of active information behaviors. Results suggest that the STOPS applies well to this unique sociopolitical situation, and that the theory works cross-culturally not only in the United States, but also in South Korea. In addition, we examined the role of cross-situational characteristics in detail, looking at whether political interest, prior experience in protest, and other sociodemographics could affect situational perceptions and cognitive frames. Theoretical and practical implications for future research and practices are discussed.
Notes
*Based on best items.
Note. A seven-point Likert scale. PR = problem recognition. CR = constraint recognition. IR = involvement recognition. RC = referent criterion. MOTV = situational motivation in problem solving. IFF = information forefending. IPM = information permitting. IFW = information forwarding. ISH = information sharing. ISK = information seeking. IAT = information attending.
1In creating SES, we dichotomized each variable into high and low groups using the median. We summed up the two dichotomized variables resulting in three levels of socioeconomic status (low = 0, medium = 1, high = 2). Individuals belonging to the low SES were those who fell below the median in education and income, individuals with the medium SES were those who fell into either upper median income or upper median education, and individuals with the high SES were those who fell into upper medians in both income and education.
This study is supported by 2008 Korea Public Relations Association (KPRA) Best Research Proposal Award on Public Relations Worldwide.