Using the 'L-Word' in Public: A Test of the Spiral of Silence in Conservative Orange County, California

In: Public opinion quarterly: journal of the American Association for Public Opinion Research, Band 56, Heft 2, S. 232-235

Abstract

According to the spiral of silence theory, individuals holding views they perceive as being in the minority or losing ground fear social isolation, & so are less likely to express their views in public. Examined in this light was whether respondents who are liberals, Democrats, or not supporting the leading presidential candidate during the campaign season in a politically conservative region (Orange County, Calif) were less willing than Republicans, conservatives, & those supporting the front-runner to be interviewed & have their names & views published in a prominent local newspaper. Three random-sample telephone surveys (total N = 1,815) were conducted for the Los Angeles Times (Orange County Edition) at different times during the 1988 presidential election. Each survey concluded with a question asking respondents whether they would be willing to speak to a reporter & have their names & views appear in a newspaper article on the findings. The findings show that: (1) those holding minority political positions were no less likely than those in the majority to consent to reinterview; & (2) those with minority views did not become increasingly resistant to reinterview over time. Results point out the utility of the newspaper reinterview question in studies on speaking out in public. 1 Table, 7 References. AA