The Spiral of Silence (Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann)

The Spiral of Silence, developed by Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann, suggests that people tend to avoid expressing their opinions if they believe those views are unpopular or will face social disapproval. As a result, majority opinions become more dominant, while minority perspectives become less visible or silenced. This dynamic creates a "spiral," where the fear of isolation discourages diverse viewpoints, leading society to overestimate consensus and potentially suppress important but less mainstream ideas. The theory highlights how fear of social isolation influences public opinion and communication behaviors.