Ms Alina Dobreva

BA (Sofia University), MA (Sofia University), MA (Central European University - Budapest)

Position: PhD Student

Email: a.dobreva04@leeds.ac.uk
Location: Houldsworth Building, level 3
Tel: 07731903785
 Alina Dobreva
Thesis Title: Interpersonal Communication and Media Perception in Post-Communist Context (Case of Bulgaria) Supervisor: Dr Katrin Voltmer

The PhD thesis tries to unravel the specifics of media perception and interpersonal communications dependent on the different political socialisation under different political regimes and also different political affiliations. The data collection method applied is quasi-experimental focus groups. The focus group participants are selected according to their type of political socialisation and political affiliation. They are presented with especially compiled media text provoking their discussion. The empirical material is analysed by quantitative content analysis. The research is influenced by number of theories related to information processing and media uses and effects and also on political culture and transition. The initial hypothesis is that differences in the techniques used in information processing and discussion would be different for people politically socialised under different regimes and affiliated to different parties. Differences based on socialisation would be greater and more significant than differences based on political affiliation. Following from that, people with same socialisation and different affiliation would show more similarities than people with same affiliation and different socialisation. Conducting this research in a post-communist country is not simply picking an exotic case. It is a case that presents unique opportunity to explore the media perception of people who belong to the same society, the same culture and still being politically socialised under different political regimes. This cohabitation of people sharing so many commonalities and differ so dramatically in their political socialisation provides a unique opportunity to examine the influence of political socialisation without a heavy burden of noise factors. The originality of the research is also in the method applied. Experimental focus groups are rarely used method in communication studies. They provide an opportunity to look directly at the processes in question instead of counting on peoples personal accounts of the effects of those processes. The topic as such is important because media perception and political discussions have profound influence on the persons functioning as a citizen and politically active member of the society. In this particular case, the importance of information processing and free political discussions become even more important due to the crucial role they play in establishing and consolidating a new political system. Transitional changes depend heavily on support and engagement of people and changes in their perceptions and ways of thinking. As this processing take place through communication it is important to understand how the constellations of the old and the floods of the new interact and influence communication. Though the case addresses one post-communist country, the results could give hints on understanding the effects on communication and its role in the context of other social and political transitions.

Provisional date for submission: 30 May 2008