An approach for examining the third-person effect hypothesis

This book is based on the theoretical framework that
third-person perceptions are largely influenced by
motivational components and cognitive ability, which
vary by perceivers (the self-based approach) and
comparison targets (the other-based approach), and
the relationship between them (the self-other
relationship-based approach). Specifically, this
book examines how third-person perception differs by
comparison targets, called the other-based approach,
when a specific group is exclusively relevant or
irrelevant to a particular media message.
The findings summarized this book have important
implications for future studies about the
relationship between the perceptual components and
behavioral components of the third-person effect. In
conclusion, communication researchers should account
for the variance of the third-person perception by
the comparison target when they predict which
behavior to examine as a measurement of the behavior
third-person effect.