Partisan selective exposure occurs when people choose to only choose to consume news that supports their existing ideological views. This is a form of cognitive dissonance where people do not seek out sources that challenge their existing beliefs. Both the politically elite and the average person are found to have increased PSE since 2000. This was also found in both Democrats and Republicans, however, the most extreme increase was in the group that identified themselves as “extreme conservatives.” PSE is a problem because it leads to different factual beliefs, which makes it difficult for everyone to come together to reach a decision. In the past, PSE could have been a result of not having access to more that one source of news. Today, with the internet and other technology we have, this is not a factor.

To learn more go to: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3046927