Hoofdstuk 22 Flashcards
What is the Spiral of Silence Theory?
The Spiral of Silence Theory, proposed by Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann, suggests that people have a fear of isolation which leads them to remain silent when they perceive that their views are in the minority. The theory posits that this tends to increase the visibility of the majority viewpoint and decrease the visibility of the minority viewpoint, creating a spiral of silence.
What are the key assumptions of the Spiral of Silence Theory?
- Society threatens deviant individuals with isolation; fear of isolation is pervasive.
- This fear of isolation causes individuals to try to assess the climate of opinion at all times.
- Public behavior is affected by public opinion assessment
What is the role of the media according to the Spiral of Silence Theory?
According to the Spiral of Silence Theory, the media plays a significant role in influencing public opinion. People often rely on the media for information, and the media’s repetitive and consonant nature can amplify majority views and silence minority ones. This can lead to a discrepancy between personal experience and the mainstream narrative.
What is the ‘train test’ in the context of the Spiral of Silence Theory?
The ‘train test’ is a method of examining whether or not and which people will express their opinions publicly. Findings suggest that followers of the dominant opinion and certain demographic groups (e.g., middle-aged men in big cities) are more likely to express their opinions.
What is the ‘last-minute swing’ in the context of the Spiral of Silence Theory?
The ‘last-minute swing’ refers to the phenomenon where individuals change their opinion to align with the majority view after most opinions have been expressed, effectively ‘jumping on the bandwagon’.
What is the ‘hard core’ group in the context of the Spiral of Silence Theory?
The ‘hard core’ group refers to the minority group who continue to voice their opinions despite the risk of social isolation. This group defies the spiral of silence and is willing to express their views regardless of the majority opinion.
What is the concept of ‘dual climates of opinion’ in the Spiral of Silence Theory?
Dual climates of opinion’ refers to the difference between the population’s perceptions of a public issue and the way the media report on the issue. It highlights the discrepancy between personal experience and the cultural mainstream as presented by the media.
