SOCIAL MEDIA, THE PARIS ATTACKS, AND THE 2-STEP FLOW THEORY
When was the 2-step flow
theory first defined?
What does the 2-step flow
theory suggest about the
relationship between texts and
audiences?
Who do you think the main
opinion leaders of this era were?
How might the definition of
“opinion leaders” have changed
in the last 20 years, with the rise
of digital technology?
What are the possible
advantages of this change in the
nature of “opinion leaders”?
What are the possible
disadvantages of this change in
the nature of “opinion leaders”?
How does the 2-step flow theory
help us understand some of the
media responses to the Paris
attacks?
Provide examples of both
objective (unbiased) and
subjective (biased) reporting by
different “opinion leaders”
Summarise your thoughts on the
concept of opinion leaders in the
social media age.
The 2-step flow theory was first defined in…
The 2-step flow theory suggests that…
The main opinion leaders at this time were likely to have been…
Since the rise in digitial technology, the term “opinion leaders”
might now apply to…
This change in the definition of “opinion leaders” offers some
advantages, including…
However, there are also potential problems with this
development in opinion leading, such as…
The response to the Paris attacks can be analysed in light of the
2-step flow theory.
The use of social media created a wide range of opinion leaders,
but with widely different opinions…