Spiral of Silence Theory Elisabeth NoelleNeumann Hannah Dailami

Spiral of Silence Theory Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann Hannah Dailami

Public opinion is no more than this: what people think that other people think. –Alfred Austin

Principal Theorist � Elisabeth Noelle- Neumann › Political Scientist born in Germany. � She wrote for a Nazi newspaper in 1940. � Date: 1974 (Elisabeth Noelle. Neumann)

Theory “Fear of isolation when the group or public realizes that the individual has a divergent opinion from the status quo (Davie 2010). ” � Fear of punishment for said divergent opinion that may lead to loss of job, loss of friendships, etc. (Davie 2010) � Willingness to state opinion is based upon what we think the public opinion is. �

Terms � Consonance › The similarities of beliefs, attitudes, and values held by the media. � Cumulativeness › The process of the media repeating themselves across programs and across time. � Pluralistic ignorance › Mistaken observation of how most people think. � Public opinion › Attitudes and behaviors expressed in public to avoid isolation. (West)

What is the Spiral of Silence? � Opinions are voiced or not voiced based on public opinion. � Minority is underestimated and majority is focused on. � Majority is emboldened and is the only one to be seen by the media. � Because we do not know everything about the world, we observe and make inferences on a daily basis.

Media � The media decides what is of interest to the people. › Sea World � The media also makes a subject controversial. › Viagra vs. birth control

Values � “To the individual, not isolating himself is more important than his own judgment (Wiley, pg. 45). ” � Friendships and other relationships can be strained because of opinion being stated.

Video � https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=W 8_POt 2 Klf. Q

Sources � � � � Davie, G. “Spiral of Silence” Weblog entry. Mass Comm Theory. 12 Mar. 2010. Web. 14 Feb. 2014. "The Spiral of Silence A Theory of Public Opinion. " Wiley Online Website. John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 7 Feb. 2006. Web. 04 Feb. 2014. "Public Opinion Quotes. " (2014): n. pag. Brainy Quotes. Web. 21 Feb 2014. <http: //www. brainyquote. com/quotes/keywords/public_opinion. html>. Scheufle, Dietram A. "TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF THE SPIRAL OF SILENCE: A CONCEPTUAL REVIEW AND EMPIRICAL OUTLOOK. "International Journal of Public Opinion Research. (2000): n. page. Web. 26 Feb. 2014. <http: //ijpor. oxfordjournals. org/content/12/1/3. abstract>. West, Richard. Introducing Communication Theory: Analysis and Application. Fourth Edition. New York: Mc. Graw-Hill, 2010. 410 -426. Print. Press, Associated. "Gay marriage facts and statistics 2013. "Politico. 27 Mar 2013: n. page. Web. 26 Feb. 2014. <http: //www. politico. com/story/2013/03/gay-marriage-facts-andstatistics-2013 -89376. html>. Childs, David. "Elisabeth Noelle Neumann: Pioneer of public-opinion polling and market research. " Independent 10 Apr 2010, n. pag. Web. 26 Feb. 2014. <http: //www. independent. co. uk/news/obituaries/elisabeth-noelle-neumann-pioneer-ofpublicopinion-polling-and-market-research-1940766. html>.