The Spiral of Silence and Public Opinion

The Spiral of Silence

The phrase "spiral of silence" describes how people tend to remain silent when they believe their views are in the minority. This silence stems from a fear of social isolation. People understand which behaviors might lead to isolation and are hesitant to express minority opinions to avoid it. The closer a person perceives their opinion to be to the prevailing public opinion, the more willing they are to express it publicly. Conversely, if public sentiment shifts away from their view, they become less likely to voice it.

Polls vs. Surveys

While both gather information, polls and surveys differ in scope. A poll typically poses a single multiple-choice question, with predefined answers. Participants may select one or multiple answers, and sometimes have the option to provide their own. A survey, on the other hand, comprises multiple questions across various formats, including comments, email addresses, names, addresses, and multiple-choice questions.

Population and Sample

In research, the population represents the entire group of interest. For instance, in a presidential election study, the population would be all eligible voters. A sample is a subset of the population that is actually surveyed. Samples are used because it's often impractical to survey an entire population.

Influencers

The influencer model has evolved with the rise of social media. There are various types of influencers. For these individuals, every aspect of their lives can become promotional. However, their fame isn't always guaranteed, and circumstances can change rapidly. Maintaining influence requires constant effort.

Some influencers focus on specific issues. For example, some advocate for LGBT+ rights, such as same-sex marriage, particularly in the USA. Others are known for their influence on moral and ethical issues, primarily through social media.