<![CDATA[The expansion of social media has transformed political communication by creating new spaces where citizens encounter, interpret, and respond to political information. However, digital political environments are increasingly characterized by post-truth dynamics, in which emotional appeal often competes with factual accuracy in shaping public understanding. This study examines how emotions contribute to the formation of political perceptions among social media users in the post-truth era. A qualitative literature review was conducted by analyzing relevant journal articles, conference proceedings, and academic publications from 2021 to 2026. The selected literature was examined through thematic synthesis to identify recurring patterns regarding emotional responses, digital political narratives, truth negotiation, and political interpretation. The findings indicate that emotions function as central mechanisms in political perception formation by influencing how individuals evaluate information, construct political meanings, and respond to competing narratives. Fear, anger, and identity-based emotions increase engagement with political content, while social media algorithms amplify emotionally charged messages and reinforce selective exposure. Although users attempt to negotiate truth through verification practices, political judgments remain influenced by emotional attachment and ideological alignment. This study contributes to political communication research by shifting attention from misinformation exposure alone toward the emotional processes through which citizens construct political realities in digital spaces. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for strengthening democratic resilience in an increasingly emotionalized information environment.]]>
Copyrights © 2026
