Noelle-Neumann's Spiral of Silence
Noelle-Neumann's Spiral of Silence is a theory in communication that explains how individuals may remain silent when they feel their views are in the minority. This phenomenon occurs because people fear social isolation or backlash for expressing unpopular opinions. As more individuals choose silence, the perception of the majority opinion strengthens, leading to even more people withholding their views.
The theory was developed by Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann, a German political scientist, in the 1970s. It highlights the role of media in shaping public perception and opinion, suggesting that media coverage can influence which viewpoints are seen as dominant or acceptable in society.