Spiral of Silence theory

Main concept of theory 

According to Spiral of silence theory, you are less likely to share ur opinion if youfear that you are a minority or if u fear that you are against a popular belief. Because  you think that by doing so you will be isolated in a society. 

Silence is increasingly as we move downwards. 

Founder of the spiral of silence theory 

The theory was given by Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann in 1974.

Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann: A giant. 

To avoid isolation, people tend to refrain from publicly stating their views on controversial matters when they perceive that doing so would attract criticism, scorn, laughter, or other signs of disapproval. Conversely, those who sense that their opinions will meet with approval tend to voice them fearlessly and at times vociferously. Indeed, speaking out in such a way tends to enhance the threat of isolation faced by supporters of the opposing position, reinforcing their sense of being alone. Thus a spiraling process begins, the dominant camp becoming ever louder and more self-confident while the other camp becomes increasingly silent.

Core assumptions of the theory 

The theory of the spiral of silence can be broken down into the following core hypotheses:

1. Most people are afraid of social isolation.

2. Therefore, people constantly observe other people’s behavior in order to find out which opinions and behaviors are met with approval or rejection in the public sphere.

3. People exert “isolation pressure” on other people, for instance, by frowning or turning away when somebody says or does something that is rejected by public opinion.

4.People tend to hide their opinion away when they think that they would expose themselves to “isolation pressure” with their opinion.

5. People who feel public support, in contrast, tend to express their opinion loud and clear.

6. Loud opinion expressions on the one side and silence on the other side sets the spiral of silence into motion.

7. In case of consensus on an issue in a given society, it is unlikely that a spiral of silence will be set into motion. The spiral is usually elicited by controversial issues.