EOTO #2 - Spiral of Silence

In our second EOTO, we had to choose a certain topic again and I decided to write about the spiral of silence. The spiral of silence is something that you don't actually know that this type of action and thought process actually had a name for. Still, it showcases the process of having a type of opinion that isn't shared with the majority of people. Since said opinion isn't represented by the majority, you'll be less inclined and more scared to share it with others for fear of backlash and opposition towards your less notable opinion. 

This theory isn't something that most even know exists, like most theories to be honest, but it's just a natural understanding that we all share that if you have a certain thought on something that isn't particularly represented by the majority of people, you're less inclined to let that thought be heard, mainly for the sake of keeping your peace and not having to accept ridicule and backlash. You're able to stick to the hardwired fundamentals of your body when placed into an uncomfortable situation, but this discomfort ends up creating the spiral of silence, a habit that is insanely hard to break away from.

This theory was created by Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann, a German political scientist who crafted this theory and wrote a book about her research on this certain type of behavior through all of us and based on our perception of how we'll be perceived for having a different opinion. This social psychology explains how sways in public opinions might come about, taking into account both moral and emotional debates on both sides.

Her work on the spiral of silence is based on both controversy and contradiction but held to the degree of a rational, autonomous individual, which has made it one of the most cited and replicated social science theories of all. 

Some of the major points of her findings about the spiral of silence are that most people are afraid of isolation, making them yearn to fit in with the surrounding crowds. People constantly observe other's behaviors in public to figure out what is acceptable and what isn't, warping their personalities and thoughts around those acceptances.

The implications of these ideas though, is that when someone could have a good or better idea for the good of society, but doesn't align with the popularity and majority, society could be handed worse options due to an individual not willing to speak up, afraid to go against the public view. Most people have their opinions and thoughts reduced to nothing when they compare them against the crowds of people following one train of thought, but when people speak up about how they feel on different topics, it can lead to much more insightful and further understandings than before.

I see this happen a lot on videos on TikTok and Instagram, where I'll constantly come across videos of people challenging each other to debates in the street or wherever, and this leads to very interesting thought processes that usually goes against the queries of most people on whatever topic is being discussed. This is a natural break in the common way of the spiral of science, since most times a lot of separate and rarer viewpoints are brought up in these conversations, leading to the people that watch them to start either agreeing, or disagreeing further about said topic, but changing the normality of only one popular opinion.

This has led to the change of sticking with the uncomfortability that seems to be rampant among most people and brings new light to topics that haven't been discussed this far due to the spiral of silence. It showcases that there isn't any weird or embarrassing part of expressing a less notable opinion when compared to the majority and social pressure, and the difference in opinion keeps our society running and functioning with new and innovative ideas on multiple topics, rather than just one set understanding.

I understand both sides of this heavily since I am usually in the majority that isn't brave enough to express their own opinions on account of major backlash and shunned morals, but usually, I do have the better options that I want to share. I hate that I usually feel this closed off to most others due to this but have been working on caring less about what others think so I can be myself openly to others and share exactly what I think, rather than following a majority vote towards one set areas.

The spiral of silence is a disheartening endeavor to look into and understand, but it's important to gain this information since it is a valuable insight to further understanding of the world and the people around you, leading to a better look about yourself and others in the long run.