Emma A Bäck (University of Gothenburg, Sweden), Hanna Bäck and Nils Gustafsson (Lund University, Sweden) and Annika Fredén (Karlstad University, Sweden) published in New Media & Society Volume 21 Issue 2 (February 2019)
Abstract
One reason why people avoid using social media to express their opinions is to avert social sanctions as proposed by the spiral of silence theory.
We here elaborate on individual-level sensitivity to social rejection in relation to voicing political opinions on social media sites.
Given the uncertainty about sharing political views in social media, and the fact that social acceptance, or rejection, can be easily communicated through, for instance, likes, or a lack of likes, we argue that rejection sensitive individuals are less likely to share political information in social media.
Combining an analysis of unique survey data on psychological characteristics and online political activity with focus group interviews with Swedish youth supports our argument, showing that rejection sensitive individuals are less inclined to engage politically in social media. The results extend on previous research by establishing the role of rejection sensitivity in political engagement in social media.
Showing posts with label spiral_of_silence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spiral_of_silence. Show all posts
Friday, 8 February 2019
Wednesday, 29 July 2015
A change in the climate: Online social capital and the spiral of silence
an article by Kim Sheehan (University of Oregon, USA) published in First Monday Volume 20 Number 5 (May 2015)
Abstract
This study explores the connection between online social capital and the Spiral of Silence.
Online social capital is an individual’s network of social connections, a network that enables and encourages social cooperation. The Spiral of Silence theory suggests that an opinion can become dominant if those who perceive their opinion to be in the minority do not speak up because society threatens them with isolation.
A study of 550 individuals explored their willingness to speak up on an issue, and assessed whether they thought they held a majority or a minority opinion. This study compared both their bonding social capital (via homogeneous networks) and bridging social capital (via heterogeneous networks) to their willingness to speak up and their perceptions of whether others held their opinions.
Regression analyses shows that bridging social capital is a key influencer in people’s willingness to speak up in social media and other online venues.
Full Text: HTML
Abstract
This study explores the connection between online social capital and the Spiral of Silence.
Online social capital is an individual’s network of social connections, a network that enables and encourages social cooperation. The Spiral of Silence theory suggests that an opinion can become dominant if those who perceive their opinion to be in the minority do not speak up because society threatens them with isolation.
A study of 550 individuals explored their willingness to speak up on an issue, and assessed whether they thought they held a majority or a minority opinion. This study compared both their bonding social capital (via homogeneous networks) and bridging social capital (via heterogeneous networks) to their willingness to speak up and their perceptions of whether others held their opinions.
Regression analyses shows that bridging social capital is a key influencer in people’s willingness to speak up in social media and other online venues.
Full Text: HTML
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
