Sprial of Silence

The Spiral of Silence Theory is probably my favorite theory out of all the ones we have covered this semester. The theory holds that there is increasing pressure on people to conceal their viewpoints when they believe they are in the minority. It also explains how media accelerates this spiral. The main idea of the theory is that we are driven to keep quiet by our fear of isolation. We are more willing to speak out when we think we are in the majority. Also, the theory says we are more willing to speak out if we are male, young adults, middle to upperclass, speaking to those with similar interests, if we have a high self esteem, or if existing law supports our opinions. I see this theory at work every year of school at the beginning of each semester. When the semester begins, no one knows each other and every one is a little concerned with what everyone else thinks of them. So, when the professor asks a question, if no one else is responding, someone who knows the right answer may still choose to stay quiet just because he or she thinks she is in the minority and is in fear of the isolation that may come with being wrong or some other factor.