The Spiral of Silence:Do we conceal our views when we believe they are in minority???

[krsna]

Dear Prabhus,

 

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

 

I recently heard and read about a concept called the "spiral of

silence". I'd like to share some quotes that I found in this

connection. I found it interesting to consider the quotes in the

context of social dynamics in Vaisnava groups.

 

"The spiral of silence demonstrates why people are unwilling to

express their opinions (publicly) when they are not believed to be in

the majority."

"People feel an increasing pressure to conceal their views and

opinions when they believe they are in minority."

"Individuals perceptions of the opinions of others is a critical

factor in determining their willingness to express those opinions."

"Individuals will alter their behavior (ie, speaking out on an issue)

due to innate fear of social isolation."

"Individuals who fear isolation, because their own opinions may not be

accepted tend to remain silent on the issue."

"Because of the fear of isolation, people continuously scan their

environment to try to assess the climate of opinion at all times."

"Individuals tend to publicly express their opinions and attitudes

when they perceive their view to be dominant or on the rise."

"I have never found a spiral of silence that goes against the tenor of

the media, for the willingness to speakout depends in part upon

sensing that there is support and legitimization from the media."

"The media provide people with the words and phrases they can use to

defend a certain point of view. If people find no current, frequently

repeated expressions for their point of view, they lapse into silence;

they become effectively mute."

"People still clinging to the old faith were afraid of being the only

ones who did so, and as they were more frightened of isolation than of

committing an error, they joined the masses even though they did not

agree with them. In this way, the opinion of only part of the

population seemed to be the opinion of all and everybody, and exactly

for this reason seemed irresistible to those who were responsible for

this deceptive appearance."

 

Source: http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/Speech/rccs/theory09.htm

[theist]

Bump Very topical.

[Guest guest]

Yes, we should conceal if in minority.

 

 

Dear Prabhus,

 

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

 

I recently heard and read about a concept called the "spiral of

silence". I'd like to share some quotes that I found in this

connection. I found it interesting to consider the quotes in the

context of social dynamics in Vaisnava groups.

 

"The spiral of silence demonstrates why people are unwilling to

express their opinions (publicly) when they are not believed to be in

the majority."

"People feel an increasing pressure to conceal their views and

opinions when they believe they are in minority."

"Individuals perceptions of the opinions of others is a critical

factor in determining their willingness to express those opinions."

"Individuals will alter their behavior (ie, speaking out on an issue)

due to innate fear of social isolation."

"Individuals who fear isolation, because their own opinions may not be

accepted tend to remain silent on the issue."

"Because of the fear of isolation, people continuously scan their

environment to try to assess the climate of opinion at all times."

"Individuals tend to publicly express their opinions and attitudes

when they perceive their view to be dominant or on the rise."

"I have never found a spiral of silence that goes against the tenor of

the media, for the willingness to speakout depends in part upon

sensing that there is support and legitimization from the media."

"The media provide people with the words and phrases they can use to

defend a certain point of view. If people find no current, frequently

repeated expressions for their point of view, they lapse into silence;

they become effectively mute."

"People still clinging to the old faith were afraid of being the only

ones who did so, and as they were more frightened of isolation than of

committing an error, they joined the masses even though they did not

agree with them. In this way, the opinion of only part of the

population seemed to be the opinion of all and everybody, and exactly

for this reason seemed irresistible to those who were responsible for

this deceptive appearance."

 

Source:

[theist]

 

Yes, we should conceal if in minority.

 

Please don't live in such a fearful condition. Be a truth seeker wherever it may lead.

[Guest guest]

I saw in Star Trek once and it made great sense ... the needs of many outweigh the needs of a few.

 

 

Please don't live in such a fearful condition. Be a truth seeker wherever it may lead.

[theist]

 

I saw in Star Trek once and it made great sense ... the needs of many outweigh the needs of a few.

 

Ah... but the apparent needs of the vast vast majority of illusioned souls is to forget Krsna.

 

So much for the needs of majority ruling my life.

[Murali_Mohan_das]

 

I saw in Star Trek once and it made great sense ... the needs of many outweigh the needs of a few.

Absolutely. So, if there's a great impending catastrophe to which the majority is oblivious, it is imperative that the few who are aware of the catastrophe sacrifice their own need for acceptance by the majority to inform them--in any way possible--of the imminent danger.

 

Catastrophe is at all times imminent!

 

Govinda!!!!

[theist]

 

Absolutely. So, if there's a great impending catastrophe to which the majority is oblivious, it is imperative that the few who are aware of the catastrophe sacrifice their own need for acceptance by the majority to inform them--in any way possible--of the imminent danger.

 

Catastrophe is at all times imminent!

 

Govinda!!!!

 

That's a touche!

[Guest guest]

LOL Murali prabhu! That statement which I quoted, obviously cannot be applied at all times, such as in situations you describe. It's a general statement.

 

 

Absolutely. So, if there's a great impending catastrophe to which the majority is oblivious, it is imperative that the few who are aware of the catastrophe sacrifice their own need for acceptance by the majority to inform them--in any way possible--of the imminent danger.

 

Catastrophe is at all times imminent!

 

Govinda!!!!