Spiral of silence theory was developed before the internet age and roots in experiences from the Nazi-era in Germany. Research indicates that it does apply well to online contexts of opinion expression.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The spiral of silence theory, developed by Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann in the 1970s, was indeed formulated before the advent of the internet and was influenced by observations of public opinion dynamics in Nazi Germany. Subsequent research has found that the theory's principles also apply to online contexts, where fear of isolation can influence individuals' willingness to express dissenting opinions in digital environments.

Spiral of Silence Theory Was Developed Before the Internet Age