Linking social media use to political attributes: a discriminant analysis of social media uses and gratifications based on political tolerance and dogmatism

Social media platforms are often associated with political mobilization, dissidence in particular. Previous studies have examined online political action, indicating that particular uses of social media fit with political motivations. Examining the connection between social media and politics can occur on multiple levels. On a more explicit level, researchers examine the role social media platforms play in political action, such as in protest movements or campaigns. On an implicit level, researchers can examine the fit between perceived uses of these platforms and political attributes of users, such as tolerance and dogmatism. Such an analysis can reveal underlying connections between what users expect from social media platforms and their political attributes, which in turn can show how platforms can be designed for those who have certain political attributes. Accordingly, this study connects social media uses and gratifications with two important political attributes, tolerance and dogmatism.