Same Spiral, Different Day? Testing the Spiral of Silence Across Issue Types

2015/12/03 by Sherice Gearhart, Weiwu Zhang · 1 citation
Social Sciences · Physics and Astronomy · #Social Media and Politics #Media Studies and Communication #Opinion Dynamics and Social Influence

paper · doi:10.1177/0093650215616456

Abstract

Although research has tested the spiral of silence theory using a variety of issues, little attention is paid to how the nature of the issues affects the spiral of silence processes. This study adopts issue typologies provided by Yeric and Todd and recommended by Salmon and Glynn to test the theory using three issues: immigration (transitory), gay marriage (emerging), and abortion (enduring). Using a nationwide survey of Facebook users ( N = 1,046), this study investigates how the nature of issues influences the dynamics of the spiral of silence processes. Results identify issue-specific differences, especially regarding the opinion congruency. Theoretical implications for future tests of the spiral of silence theory and public opinion research are discussed.

Citations

• Exploring the Forms of Self-Censorship: On the Spiral of Silence and the Use of Opinion Expression Avoidance Strategies
• The Spiral of Silence a Theory of Public Opinion
• Stimulating the Quasi-statistical Organ

Cited by

• The “Spiral of Silence” Revisited: A Meta-Analysis on the Relationship Between Perceptions of Opinion Support and Political Opinion Expression

Related

• Mapping the Spiral of Silence: Surveying Unspoken Opinions in Online Communities
• Extending the Spiral of Silence: Theorizing a Typology of Political Self-Silencing
• The Spiral of Silence a Theory of Public Opinion
• Subreddit R/unpopularopinion: Against the Spiral of Silence
• Stimulating the Quasi-statistical Organ