Something To Ponder...

The famous line of Dr. Jose Rizal “ Kabataan ang Pag-asa ng Bayan” though it sounds corny for us youth of this generation but it mean a lot more than what we think about it. It must be our basis for we are the one in reality who will dominate the future of our country. Youths are to be the solution but unfortunately today, youth are the most common victims of insurgency, politics, poverty, lack of education and many more. Some politicians are deceiving the minds of the young people for their own personal ambitions in politics. Some of the advertisements today are using the children to promote a product, a politicians where the children being used did not really know what they are doing with their fresh innocent minds, or maybe it is all about money that matters.

As we are in midst of crisis, are you not aware of the very alarming status of the country? I know of course that we always have in mind the worries that we may not face or not ready to face the reality of dealing the problems that we may encounter later. Especially when we are not equipped with such knowledge to relate the problems. We all know that even if we are just young and innocents, but we all have to the power to make change and make a difference. Act as if we are fighting for our lives, live with a purpose not just for your own but for the benefit of everybody else who are screaming for the justice! Again let us not think what our country can do for us but think of the things you can contribute in order for us to progress and move forward! Our country is also depending on us of how we will shape its structure.

Every 3 years, another election to test our capability in choosing the right candidate to once again manage and take part of the next chapter of challenges. The youth will once again play a vital role to this big event. I know and I think we already have mature minds enough to vote responsibly. I'm happy with some organizations today who are vigilant and are after of the clean and honest election! Let us join hands together for a just and a humane society!.“ We don't choose the best... We create them!”

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.