The knowledge gap theory of communication

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The Knowledge Gap Theory examines how information distribution in society is influenced by socioeconomic status, leading to an increasing knowledge divide. Initially proposed in 1970 by researchers from the University of Minnesota, the theory suggests that as mass media information proliferates, individuals from higher socioeconomic backgrounds acquire knowledge more rapidly than those from lower backgrounds. This phenomenon highlights the impact of education on information access, revealing significant disparities in knowledge retention and acquisition across different social strata.