Spiral of Silence Theory Description

Spiral of Silence Theory

Description

Is a social science concerned with the theory and practice of politics and the analysis of political systems and political behavior. People will be unwilling to publicly express their opinion if they believe they are in the minority. They will also be more vocal if they believe they are a part of the majority. Thus, the more marginalized you become, the less you speak and so spiral into a fully marginal position. 

This works because we fear social rejection. and that when a person appears to be rejected, others will back away from them, fearing being rejected because they associate with the rejected person. It also makes marginalization a powerful way of eliminating political and social competition.

Public opinion is the "attitudes or behaviors one must express in public if one is not to isolate oneself, in areas of controversy or change; public opinions are those attitudes one can express without running the danger of isolating oneself."

Research

Noelle-Neumann showed subjects a picture with one person angrily saying, "It seems to me that smokers are terribly inconsiderate. They force others to inhale their health-endangering smoke." Respondents were asked to phrase a response to the statement whilst other 'planted' people were there. When nonsmokers were nearby, many smokers were less willing to openly support smokers’ rights.

Ideas and Implications:

The Spiral of Silence is useful to apply in situations when trying to explain why people cover up or change their opinions when in a group setting especially when they think they are alone in their opinions.

Examples

1.An  example to help illustrate the Spiral of Silence theory is a person going out with a new group of people or on a date with someone you do not know very well.  When ordering pizza for this theory, I would conform to the mushroom lovers because I feel I am in the minority since I do not like mushrooms and i think everyone else does.  Therefore I do not want to be rejected or alone in my opinions. 

2.If you were on a long train journey, and a person next to you starts to discuss the problems of food safety. Would you join in the conversation, speaking your true opinion? What if it were controversial, what then?

3.About the issue on Artificial Birth Control. The opinion leaders of the church are so much against it. So, the legislative board are muted about the issue because they are afraid to push the said bill for they have high respect for the church and it will also affect their image as a politician.

So what?

Using it

Show people how the views you want them to express are mainstream, and that the views you want them to change are minority and in danger of causing them to be socially rejected. 

Defending

When you want to say something, say it. Watch out for being maneuvered into a corner.