Hans Mathias Kepplinger

Hans Mathias Kepplinger is professor in communications at the University of Mainz. He earned his Ph. D. in political science in 1970. His most recent book, Abschied vom rationalen Wähler (Farewell to the Rational Voter), looks at the effects of TV on the images of politicians and their impact upon voting behavior. In Mechanismen der Skandalierung (Mechanisms Steering Scandals), he analyzes 14 typical elements of scandals. It is based on quantitative and qualitative studies dealing with the role of the media in political and environmental scandals. He is author or co-author of 26 books and of articles which have appeared in Public Opinion Quarterly, Communication Research, Journal of Communication, Political Communication, Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media. He is also the author of numerous articles published in major German newspapers and news magazines. While at the Shorenstein Center, Professor Kepplinger’s research focused on the reciprocal effect of mass media on politicians.