Inhibiting Speech through Exemplar Distribution: Can We Predict a Spiral of Silence?

This research uses disproportionate exemplar distributions in an attempt to create a spiral of silence effect for a controversial issue. No support is found for exemplars predictably causing a spiral of silence. There is mild evidence that perceived opinion can silence "public display expression." More importantly, opinion is found to predict speaking out, a phenomenon most likely associated with a cultural bias effect.

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