Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann was a German political scientist and communication researcher, best known for her work on public opinion and the "spiral of silence" theory. This theory suggests that individuals may remain silent when they feel their views are in the minority, leading to a distorted perception of public opinion. Her research emphasized the influence of media on societal attitudes and behaviors. Noelle-Neumann founded the Allensbach Institute for Public Opinion Research in 1947, which became a significant center for opinion polling in Germany. Her contributions have had a lasting impact on the fields of communication studies and political science, shaping how researchers understand the dynamics of public discourse.