Multiple Opinion Climates in Online Forums

2013/10/15 by Elmie Nekmat, William J. Gonzenbach · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · Social Sciences · Psychology · #Opinion Dynamics and Social Influence #Social Media and Politics #Public Relations and Crisis Communication #Mainstream #Public opinion #Homogeneous #Ideology #Psychology #Silence #Social psychology #Opinion leadership #Political science #Advertising #Public relations #Politics #Business #Law

paper · doi:10.1177/1077699013503162

openalex publication_date 2013/10/15 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/26

Abstract

Through the Spiral of Silence framework, this study examines the online opinion climate effect on individual willingness to post messages in forums, using a 2 × 2 experiment manipulating website source (mainstream news/ideologically homogeneous activist group) and opinion congruency (minority/majority opinion). Individuals’ willingness to post was affected only by their opinion congruency with those expressed in forums. Analysis revealed instances of individuals “speaking up” as compared to “speaking out.” Other deterrents to willingness to post were also uncovered.

Cited by

• Spiral of silence [wikipedia]

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