Public Opinion du Jour: An Examination of the Spiral of Silence

In: Public opinion quarterly: journal of the American Association for Public Opinion Research, Band 48, Heft 4, S. 731-740

Abstract

Both perceived vote outcomes & actual vote behaviors are used in an investigation of the spiral of silence theory advanced by Elisabeth Noelle-Neuman (see SA 25:4/77I7781), according to which proponents of opinions perceived as losing ground tend to remain silent & thus contribute to the loss of ground. Telephone interviews regarding the 1980 presidential elections were conducted in Sept, Oct, & after the Nov election with eligible voters in Dane County, Wisc (N = 98 in Sept & 465 in the latter two panels). Support was found for the hypothesis that those who see their position as gaining support will be more likely to discuss that position than those who see their position as losing support; partial support was also found for the hypothesis that those individuals perceiving support for a candidate are more likely to express preference for the candidate. The distinction between the resistant hardcore & other types of citizens was also found valid, as was the relative independence of perception of opinion judgments from own preferences. 3 Tables, 8 References. Modified HA.