Beyond a Negativity Bias: Explaining the Consumption of Positive and Negative Political Information Using WebTracking and Experience Sampling Data

Negativity and positivity are crucial in political information, yet research often overlooks positive content consumption. This study examines the degree to which citizens consume positive and negative election-related content and the factors influencing both. Using web-tracking and experience sampling (mobile intensive longitudinal linkage analysis [MILLA]) data from the 2021 German federal election, we find positivity and negativity are equally relevant but vary across channels and methods of data collection. In tracking data, gender and conflict approach predict valence preference, while MILLA data highlight perceived duty, extreme ideology, and conflict approach. Possible interpretations of these systematic differences and their general relevance for communication research are discussed.