Full Length Research Paper
Abstract
This study extends the understanding of the spiral of silence theory by taking into account the impact of new media on virtual behavior motivation. It explores individuals' willingness to express opinions online and offline and tests how the constructs proposed by the spiral of silence theory work in each setting. Results of a survey (N=503) suggests that when the likelihood of speaking out online increases, the likelihood of speaking out in a real setting also increases, and vice versa. Findings further suggest that the congruency of current opinions with one's own opinions predicts the willingness to speak out offline. Congruency of future opinions, however, failed to predict the likelihood of speaking out offline. Findings also indicated that congruency of future and current opinions did not predict the willingness to speak out in the online setting. Furthermore, while experiencing fear of isolation predicted by the willingness to speak out online, it did not affect offline outspokenness.
Key words: Spiral of silence, opinion-climate online, online environment.
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