The Spiral of Silence and Public Opinion on Affirmative Action

This study sought to more fully explicate the key variables involved in Noelle-Neumann's spiral of silence theory, which states that fear of isolation keeps individuals from expressing opinions perceived to be in the minority. We tested the theory in the context of public discussion about affirmative action policies, a domain seemingly ideal due to its moral and value-laden characteristics. Data from 217 randomly selected adults in October 1998 indicate that fear of isolation indeed prevents one from publicly voicing perceived minority opinions. Willingness to speak out on a controversial ballot initiative was predicted also by demographics, media use, and importance of the issue. However, it was perceived consonance of one's opinion with family and friends—rather than society at large—that predicted willingness to speak out.

[1]  Kurt Neuwirth,et al.  Perceptions of Opinion “Climates” and Willingness to Discuss the Issue of Abortion , 1990 .

[2]  Andrew S. Rancer,et al.  A conceptualization and measure of argumentativeness. , 1982, Journal of personality assessment.

[3]  A. Siegel,et al.  Reference groups, membership groups, and attitude change. , 1957, Journal of abnormal psychology.

[4]  J. B. Mcconahay,et al.  The scar of race. , 1996 .

[5]  H. Oshagan.  REFERENCE GROUP INFLUENCE ON OPINION EXPRESSION , 1996 .

[6]  E. Noelle-Neumann.  The Spiral of Silence A Theory of Public Opinion , 1974 .

[7]  Patricia Moy,et al.  TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF THE SPIRAL OF SILENCE: A CONCEPTUAL REVIEW AND EMPIRICAL OUTLOOK , 2000 .

[8]  Carolyn A. Lin,et al.  Willingness to Discuss “Official English”: A Test of Three Communities , 1994 .

[9]  L. Bobo.  Race, Public Opinion, and the Social Sphere , 1997 .

[10]  Elihu Katz,et al.  Publicity and Pluralistic Ignorance: Notes on ‘The Spiral of Silence’ , 1981 .

[11]  D. Woodruff,et al.  The Shape of the River: Long-Term Consequences of Considering Race in College and University Admissions , 1998 .

[12]  J. David Kennamer,et al.  Self-Serving Biases in Perceiving the Opinions of Others , 1990 .

[13]  S. Milgram.  Nationality and conformity. , 1961 .

[14]  James H. Kuklinski,et al.  Racial prejudice and attitudes toward affirmative action , 1997 .

[15]  K. Stamm,et al.  The Relationship of Attitudinal Components to Trust in Media , 1994 .

[16]  Jacob Shamir.  Speaking Up and Silencing Out in Face of a Changing Climate of Opinion , 1997 .

[17]  Tyler Pruett.  The Shape of the River: Long-Term Consequences of Considering Race in College and University Admissions , 1999, Journal of Student Financial Aid.

[18]  Dominic L. Lasorsa,et al.  Political Outspokenness: Factors Working against the Spiral of Silence , 1991 .

[19]  J. Hottois.  The Spiral of Silence: Public Opinion—Our Social Skin . By Noelle-Neumann Elisabeth. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1984. Pp. xi + 184. $20.00.) , 1985, American Political Science Review.

[20]  Descriptors Higher.  Annual Meeting of the International Communication Association , 1974 .

[21]  William J. Gonzenbach.  The Conformity Hypothesis: Empirical Considerations for the Spiral of Silence's First Link , 1992 .

[22]  S. Asch.  Effects of Group Pressure Upon the Modification and Distortion of Judgments , 1951 .

[23]  John M. Brehm,et al.  Are Americans Ambivalent Towards Racial Policies , 1997 .

[24]  E. Noelle-Neumann.  The Theory of Public Opinion: The Concept of the Spiral of Silence , 1991 .

[25]  R. Mukherjee.  Regulating race in the California civil rights initiative: enemies, allies, and alibis , 2000 .