Spiral of Silence Theory - 2121 Words

Spiral of Silence Theory Elizabeth Noelle-Neumann’s spiral of silence is a theory that was developed in 1974 and as the founder and the director of the Public Opinion Research Center in Allensbach in Germany; she has found evidence of how the spread of public opinion is formed. The term spiral of silence refers to the increasing pressure people feel to conceal their views they think they are the minority. People will be unwilling to publicly express their opinion if they are in the minority and they will also be more vocal if they believe they are a part of the majority. Thus, the more marginalized you become, the less you speak and so you spiral into a fully marginalized position. Neumann’s claim are based on previous collaborative†¦show more content†¦It is used to reveal a series of factors that measures the likelihood that people will voice their opinions. There are six factors and the first one is the most important: 1. Those who favor the majority positio n are willing to express their voice more comfortably. â€Å"Feeling in harmony with the spirit of the age loosens the tongue.† [Griffin, Em. Spiral of Silence. A First Look at Communciation Theory. 7th ed. N.p.: McGraw-Hill, n.d. N. pag. Print. 2. If perception of the present opinon does not match the climate of the conversation, the willingness to speak will depend on how well the conversation continues on. 3. People are more willing to speak if their views match their counterparts than to those who disagree. 4. Low self-esteem will cause a person to mute their opinion more often than others. 5. Males, young adults, and people of the middle and upper classes tend to speak out more easily. 6. Existing law encourages people to express their opinion when they feel outnumbered. The Supreme Court’s Roe v Wade is a good example. Now that we know the building blocks of the spiral of silence, we can get to root of Noelle-Neumann’s model of her theory leading to her main point and the last factor, fear of isolation. The fear of isolation is the centrifugal force that accelerates the spiral of silence. Essentially, people fear becoming social isolates and thus take measures to avoid such a consequence. Her assumption is drawnShow MoreRelated The Impact of My Favorite Form of Media in Mass Communication1545 Words   |  7 Pagesrecord it. It conglomerates my love of sustenance and travel at the same time. There are many mass communication theories conveyed up through the media world, but I sense a few do relate to my chosen form of media. There are three certain mass communication theories that contribute to my impact on this form of media: Spiral of Silence Theory, Agenda Setting Theory and the Hypodermic Needle Theory. Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives persuades me to cook and appreciate cooking and food. Being married, IRead MorePsychology And The Theory Of Psychology999 Words   |  4 Pagespsychoanalysis-focusing on the unconscious mind, behaviourism focusing-on the unconscious mind (Vickers). Although there are many belief systems, modern psychologists share similar procedures and values known as the empirical method (Vickers). Psychology is theory driven, seeks evidence, multi-leveled, and contextual, unlike philosophy which relies heavily on unproven beliefs, psychology aims to discover scientific information. Psychologists approach ideas using the scientific method based on Sir Francis Bacon’sRead MoreEssay on Spiral of Silence1738 Words   |  7 Pagesrun into is silence. The spiral of silence theory by Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann explains why certain people fall under the pressure and seclude to silence. Silence may not always be a bad thing, but according to a study by Lucy J. MacGregor, the fact is that silence during a speech or conversation is absolutely bad. With this, silence while talking to a large group negatively affects the listeners in a way in which some words in the speech will not be remembered. The point is that silence tends to destroyRead MorePositive And Negative Effects Of Mass Media1578 Words   |  7 Pagesthey will endure judgment. In A First Look at Communication Theory the Spiral of Silence theory created by Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann is acknowledged. The following quote explains exactly how this theory works, â€Å"†¦spiral of silence refers to the increasing pressure people feel to conceal their views when they think they are in the minority.† (Griffin 372). The book goes on to reveal that the driving factor behind the Spiral of Silence theory is no other than the fear an individual has from isolationRead MoreGratification Theory Mass Media1585 Words   |  7 PagesTheories in mass media play an important role in society which provides a lens to observer communication in a medium. There is a multitude of media theories, but I will explore those of Elizabeth Noelle-Newman and how people use media for their need and gratification. The spiral of silence theory and the uses and gratification theory both give convincing and detailed explanations that link the media and the audience. There is a likeness in both but there are also many difference between the two.Read MoreHow Mass Communication Approach Can Change Into Perspective1504 Words   |  7 PagesJournalism, Public relation. There is overshadowing about particular of the method of study, as if quantitative and qualitative method has been use. Also there major theories being use addr esses the process that communication that being taking place some of these are Cultivation Theory, Agenda-Setting Theory, Spiral of Silence Theory, including the media ecology in there as well. There is also professional organization that is using for into this particular field of mass communication. On the givenRead MorePublic Opinion Is the Most Significant Agency Influence Public Opinion1034 Words   |  5 Pagesand radio. That is a lot of factors that why mass media can shaped the public opinion such as wide coverage, credibility, meet our needs and social influences. The first factors is wide coverage, according to mass communication theory, which is the spiral of silence theory created by Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann is individuals who think their opinion conflicts with the opinions of most other people tend to remain silent on an issue, (Cutlip Center’s Effective Public Relations, Tenth Edition. GLEN MRead MoreInfluence and Power of Mass Media1311 Words   |  6 Pagesinformation by people with higher socioeconomic status and those with lower and as a result created a concept of a knowledge gap. Finally, Noelle-Neemann explored the way public opinion forms and changes over the time and came up with a model of the spiral of silence. The mass media undoubtedly has a huge potential for widespread influence. Both Noelle-Neemann and Fearing agree on its power and abilities. Fearing (1954, p.166) seems to be astonished saying that a message emanating from a â€Å"single source†Read MoreThe Effects Of Music On Our Country Today1661 Words   |  7 Pageswatch? Is the music video really responsible for these effects, or is the type of audience that watches these videos already have a predisposition of violent behavior? There are several theories in the field of communications that I believe can try to explain these questions. The first, is Cognitive Dissonance theory, which is psychological conflict that is the result of an individual holding two contradictory or incompatible beliefs or attitudes. In order to remove the dissonance, the person changesRead MoreMedia Bias Of The United States1389 Words   |  6 Pagesbecome of himself, and the less he will be inclined to express his opinion. (Noelle-Neumann) The man who become uncertain often falls silent. This is the theory of the spiral of silence. That minority opinions don’t get represented because those who hold them fear social isolation, and thus their opinion never gets heard. When the spiral of silence is applied to the huge population of the United States of America, this can lead to media bias. If the opposition to a view or event doesn’t speak up, journalists

Stonewall Riots of 1969 Free Essays

Introduction The stonewall riots of 1969 happened consecutively for 3 days, it all started on June 27th in Greenwich Village, New York at the Stonewall Inn. During the 1960’s it was common for the police to raid gay bars, and when this would happen the gays and lesbians would try to sneak out the back door. The police would arrest the patrons and drag them off to jail, their names were written down and published in the newspaper by the next day and as a result they would be fired from their jobs. We will write a custom essay sample on Stonewall Riots of 1969 or any similar topic only for you Order Now â€Å"The 1960s was a time of revolution. The Civil Rights Movement was in full swing and people took to the streets to protest the war in Vietnam. It was only a matter of time before gays and lesbians stood up for their rights as well. †(A history of Gay and Lesbian Pride) June is now the month known as Gay Pride month, a time when all gays and lesbians prance and parade to celebrate. Setting/Background Living in the 1960’s as a gay and or lesbian was very difficult in fact the only way to be safe was to be â€Å"in the closet†, not openly gay to the public. Police took it up as their duty to arrest gay patrons who were seen kissing each other, dancing with one another, or even holding hands with one another. â€Å"Generally just being present was enough in their minds to warrant an arrest. Of course when this appeared in the newspaper they were tabbed as having committed a Crime against nature. †(The history and impact of the Stonewall Riots) Issues Involved/Causes During the 1950’s – 1990’s gay couples were not allowed to touch or dance with one another; it was also illegal for women to dress up in men’s clothing and men to dress in women’s clothing. If three known homosexuals were sitting at a table together then it would be illegal to serve an alcoholic beverage to them. â€Å"If the gay’s didn’t comply with the laws then they were faced with a fine, a night in jail, and the next morning they would have their names printed the daily newspapers and have a record under criminal activity†. (The history and impact of the Stonewall Riots) Event On June 27th police raided a gay bar in Greenwich, New York at the Stonewall Inn. Police demanded identification papers from costumers, they escorted them outside on to the sidewalks were they were pushed off and others were put into a paddy-wagon. That’s when some of the lesbians and gays started to fight back. They Chanted â€Å"Gay Power† all while throwing bottles and rocks at the police. â€Å"Riot veteran and gay rights activist Craig Rodwell says: â€Å"A number of incidents were happening simultaneously. There was no one thing that happened or one person, there was just†¦ a flash of group, of mass anger. (The stonewall riots-1969) Crowds soon began to grow outside the Stonewall Inn. Every time the police would have the crowd spilt up it would just start again right behind them and again they would start to chant. Thirteen arrest had been made on the first night of the riot many of the protesters were singled out and beaten and then later were arrested. With about two thousand protesters and only about four hundred police officers, the tactical patrol force was called in to disperse the riots but with a failed attempt the riot continued on. Outcome/Effects/Aftermath Effects of the Stonewall Riots were that the gay community in new York united in the fight against discrimination and June became known as a gay month to celebrate their pride in homosexuality. The gay liberation front was organized. Gay people learned to take a stand for themselves and to fight back. Reflection Though gay issues are still a problem today in America, the Stonewall Riots was the first step toward uniting the gay community to start taking a stand for what they believe is right. I believe that if it wasn’t for the Stonewall Riots then life for gays and lesbians would still be the same as it was then. It was the Stonewall Riot that led to gay liberations and for the gay community to start working together to make life easier for them. I don’t believe that the police should have gone as far as they did with raiding gay bars, but it was there ridings that led up to the Stonewall Riot so actually I’m glad that they did that otherwise the gay liberation front may have never been formed. How to cite Stonewall Riots of 1969, Essay examples

Hiding Our Dark Side English Literature Essay free essay sample

As human existences, it is believed to be in our nature and in our blood to be violent, to be avaricious and to merely seek and acquire what we want in any manner possible. But there are other factors which restrain and suppress these human inherent aptitudes ; like ethical motives and society, which sets regulations and guidelines which are to be followed in order to acquire along with others and to be a portion of the community. In the novel Aroma: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind there is a really thin line that divides the whole human society from the animate being like universe that operates on base inherent aptitudes. But there has ever been a battle to incorporate these basic homo inherent aptitudes, which can sometimes be carnal like, and act harmonizing to society s regulations, ethical motives and outlooks. This book is the perfect portraiture of how humanity can be driven by its most basal human inherent aptitudes and how even the most alleged civilised people can be reduced to sociopaths when their ain natural inherent aptitudes kick in. Suskind is fearless of making horrid characters and portraying a genuinely ugly facet of human nature. Cipher in the narrative is portrayed as a truly good or sympathetic individual. Everyone has some kind of major defects. There ever seems to be a battle between moving on basic human inherent aptitudes and acting harmonizing to social norms and outlooks. And this subject is apparent throughout the whole novel ; non merely from the supporter, but about every character within the novel is a victim of that battle. This battle and battle for power between human inherent aptitudes and societal outlooks is demonstrated through the behavior of the minor characters, Greeneville s battle with his human inherent aptitudes vs. society s outlook, and human natural behavior of others around Grenouille. In most instances it would look that society wins over human inherent aptitudes ; that, nevertheless, is nt ever the instance. The supporter, Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, is represented as an inhuman, emotionless and cold-at-heart individual who has been neglected since birth. The mode in which he was born and dealt with by his female parent decidedly raises some struggles against societal outlooks. Grenouille was born in Parisian a fish market that was the most putrid topographic point in the whole land ( Suskind 4 ) . His female parent, who was single and had four spontaneous abortions before him, made clear that his being is unwanted. Grenouille was abandoned by her at birth as he was pushed into the heap of fish backbones by his female parent that would acquire shoveled off and carted away to the cemetery or down to the river ( Suskind 5 ) and no 1 would hold any cognition of the birth. This was an act of human inherent aptitude because she did non desire anyone else to cognize of her single birth ; particularly since she was diffident whether it would be another spontaneous abortion. This goes wholly against social outlooks because no kid should of all time hold to digest such barbarous rejection ; no homo should be left to decease in such a monstrous mode. There are besides other state of affairss where society defeats human inherent aptitudes. When Grenouille is returned back to the church by his moisture nurse, Jeanne Bussie, because He does nt smell at all, ( Suskind 10 ) , she accuses Grenouille of being the kid of the Satan ( Suskind 11 ) . Jeanne is disregarding her human maternal inherent aptitudes of protecting and taking attention of the babe. Throughout the novel, the aroma of an person is referred to as their individuality and their psyche, their individuality. She is moving harmonizing to social outlook by seeking to acquire rid of him because she does nt desire to tie in herself with something that is nt normal, is nt human-like and is d ifferent. Grenouille was passed on from one moisture nurse to another, neer being shown any signifier of fondness. Jean-Baptiste Grenouille is a character who from birth is presented as an extraordinary and unusual being right from the beginning of the novel, described as one of the most talented and detestable personages ( Suskind Suskind 3 ) . Grenouille is gifted with an extraordinary endowment that enables him to separate between even the most similar of odors. The people who lived there no longer see this gruel as a particular odor ; it had arisen from them and they had been steeped in it over and over once more ; it was, after all, the really air they breathed and from which they lived, it was similar apparels you have worn so long you no longer smell them or experience them against your tegument. Grenouille, nevertheless, smelled it wholly as if for the first clip. ( Suskind Suskind 33 ) . Suskind s description of the universe through the eyes of Grenouille is improbably superb. He s non shown as an evil individual, but instead portrayed as a slave to his ain desires and inherent aptitudes. Ever since he was a babe, Grenouille has been described to be avaricious ( Suskind 6 ) , which is another human inherent aptitude. He was passed on from one moisture nurse to another because he sucked as much milk as two babes ( Suskind 6 ) . He besides avariciously seeks to possess all the odors ; particularly when he discovers a new odor. Jean-Baptiste Grenouille is born with a superior olfactory sense, Even though he does non possess a aroma of his ain similar every other human being. He is without a aroma, therefore is portrayed as non holding a psyche. The aroma of a individual is a widely used motive in the novel. A individual s aroma is presented as their individuality, merely like a individual s fingerprint, since no two human existences are described to hold the same ar oma. It s a human inherent aptitude to hunger the feeling to belonging, every human being wants to belong and a portion of something ; cipher wants to be entirely. Grenouille neer experienced love or kindness in his life ; therefore he was incapable of demoing it, excessively. And yet, he desired the aroma that appears to do worlds respond with a sense of welcoming and love. In an attempt to suit in, Grenouille creates what he sees as a human odor ( Suskind 67 ) so that worlds will accept him as one of their ain since he does nt possess his ain aroma. Grenouille realizes that without a Soul, without that aroma of his ain Soul, life is non deserving life. In hunt of happening or making a aroma, a psyche, for himself which he calls the universe s finest aroma, his work takes a dark bend, taking him to offenses and legion slayings. In order to make this aroma, he ends up being the unidentified liquidator of 25 maidens ( Suskind 247 ) in order the infusion their aroma for doing his universe s finest aroma ( Suskind 189 ) . This goes against society s outlook because slaying or injury to any other human being is frowned upon. He s non a character who gets any pleasance from the act of killing itself. There s no exhilaration in the existent procedure of killing for him. It s much more animalistic than that. It s natural, about unconscious. He needs to make it, he does it and he gets what he needs. There s no tasting of the existent act of killing. He acts on his inherent aptitudes and attempts to accomplish what he wants, which is to happen his odor and to happen his individuality, in any manner possible ; he shows great finding because goes to such an extent to accomplish his desires and feed his greed. Grenouille is an person who is wholly distant from human emotions ; his separation from moral values has turned him into an un-human, about monster-like, character. He roams in an wholly different world in comparing to humankind, including greatly different desires and an absolute deficiency of consideration or empathy. These features reflect onto others that are around him and interact with him, about like a virus. His unprompted behavior of moving on his inherent aptitudes brings out the human nature in society ; people around him start moving in their inherent aptitudes as good. As described by the writer, Suskind, Olfactory properties have a power of persuasion stronger than that of words, visual aspects, emotions, or will. The persuasive power of an olfactory property can non be fended off, it enters into us like breath into our lungs, it fills us up, imbues us wholly. There is no redress for it ( Suskind 82 ) . This point is proven true in many occasions all through the novel ; but the 2 events that stand out the most are: when Grenouille is about to be executed by hanging after acquiring caught for the slaying of 25 maidens ( Suskind 247 ) and when he goes back to his hometown near the terminal of the book and splashes all of the universe s finest aroma ( Suskind 189 ) on himself. In the first state of affairs, he merely had a elan of the aroma on ; yet it was so powerful that people fell in love with him and felt such understanding and compassion ( Suskind 238 ) that they did nt believe a individual like him would perpetrate such a offense. The aroma is powerful, that it puts everyone is a different province of head and all the citizens that have gathered there erupt into a monolithic binge. It impairs their opinion, doing them to move on their inherent aptitudes. This is likewise the instance in the 2nd state of affairs except he puts on so much of the aroma that it causes people t o go insane, turn into man-eaters and devour Jean-Baptiste Grenouille. No affair how much we try, human nature more frequently than non overcomes society. Patrick Suskind does an astonishing occupation at showing the subject of the battle between human inherent aptitudes vs. social outlook. Whether it is through the behavior of the minor characters, Greeneville s battle with his human inherent aptitudes vs. society s outlook, and human natural behavior of others around Grenouille, it is apparent throughout the novel. Since human existences live in a society where there are certain regulations and guidelines to be followed, it is slightly expected that social outlooks would get the better of human inherent aptitudes. It appears to be the antonym of that in Patrick Suskind s fresh Aroma: The Story of a Murderer . No affair how much of an attempt is made, human nature seems to get the better of society s behaviour outlooks. And this is specially the instance for the supporter, who is cold, passionless and cold-at-heart individual with an absolute deficiency of consideration or empathy. He is an illustration of person who appears to be i ncapable of life in a society. He is person who follows their human nature and inherent aptitudes and goes for what he wants despite society s outlooks. Suskind, Patrick.A Perfume: The Story of a Murderer. New York: Vintage International, 2001. Print.