Spiral of Silence

The Spiral of Silence is a social theory that explains how people may withhold their opinions if they believe they are in the minority. When individuals feel their views are unpopular, they may choose to remain silent to avoid social isolation or backlash. This silence can lead to a perception that the majority opinion is more widely accepted than it actually is, creating a "spiral" where dissenting views become increasingly rare in public discussions. Ultimately, this phenomenon can distort public perception of what people genuinely think, as many may be reluctant to express views that differ from the perceived majority.