Spiral  of  Silence  Theory  

By:  Hannah  Reese  

Spiral  of  Silence  Theory  

The  spiral  of  silence  theory  is  a  theory  that  describes  why  minority  viewpoints  disappear  from  the  public  eye.  

Where  do  the  minority  viewpoints  go?  

How  do  we  know  what  the  majority  opinion  is?  

According  to  the  spiral  of  silence  theory,  the  media  plays  a  major  role  in  determining  what  is  normaDve  in  today’s  

society.    

PoliDcians  Care!!!  

PoliDcians  either  want  to  be  the  voice  for  those  who  hold  

the  minority  opinions  or  they  

want  to  be  the  ones  who  silence  the  

minority  opinions.  

The  spiral  of  silence  theory  concerns  

everyday  people  as  well,  like  you  and  me.  SomeDmes  we  don’t  voice  our  true  opinions  because  they  go  against  the  “norm,”  and  we  just  

want  to  fit  in.  

The  spiral  of  silence  theory  is  important,  because  it  explains  to  us  why  the  people  who  do  hold  the  minority  opinion  do  not  voice  their  opinions.  The  

minority  opinions  disappear  from  the  public,  because  individuals  feel  as  if  they  are  outnumbered  by  those  who  hold  the  majority  

opinion.  

CriDcs  of  the  spiral  of  silence  theory  believe  that  the  theory  is  too  

general  with  its  explanaDon  of  the  disappearance  of  the  minority  opinions.    

CriDcs  say  there  are  other  explanaDons  for  individuals  not  voicing  their  opinions,  such  as,  religion,  culture,  upbringing,  

etc.