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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 5 page paper literature review provides both sides of the controversy of Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann's spiral of silence theory that contends people tend to side with popular opinion. Both positive and negative positions are discussed. Bibliography lists 6 sources.
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5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: RT13_SA117sos.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
silence theory is on shaky ground. Some critics support her findings, where others dispute her work, not only for its inconsistencies, but also due to alleged ties with the Nazi
Party during World War II. Some of the comments are appropriate, while others are off base. The review concludes that there might be something to the theory, but more research
is certainly necessary to prove her thesis. I. Introduction Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann came up with a theory of
public opinion expression based on data suggesting that more people are willing to express beliefs when it is perceived that such ideas have more support ("Communication," 1998). According to the
theory, people are more willing to express their views when it is thought that support for those beliefs is present; however, people are less likely to disclose them when they
think that their ideas are not widely shared (1998). While Noelle-Neumanns theory-and her book The Spiral of Silence-has been controversial, there seems to be a widespread notion that in fact
it is true. For example, much has been made about journalists announcing state victories in U.S. presidential elections, or merely announcing poll data. There is the notion that people, when
undecided in elections, will want to vote for the winner. Other psychological theories do also seem to back up the claim as the
fact that conformity is at all a concept attests to the viability of such a theory. It is true that people in society seem to copy others. Some want to
be liked and will agree with others points of view just to be amenable. Even if that is accepted, Noelle-Neumann takes that idea one step further. She claims that individuals
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