Brynn Lawrence

April 16, 2016

Communication 1050-Online
Reel Paper
In society we are surrounded by the influences of communication and media without
noticing. Communication is defined as, a social process in which individuals employ symbols to
establish and interpret meaning in their environment (West & Turner, 2010). Communication
isnt just what we say, it is how we act, respond, media, body language, etc. Within
communication there are certain theories, an abstract system of concepts and their relationships
that help us understand a phenomenon (West & Turner, 2010), of how people respond to certain
communication aspects. We all participate in communication and fall into most of the
communication theories without even realizing. We will take this time to focus on one
communication theory and how we can find it in a certain film.
Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann was born on December 19, 1916, the second of four children
of Eva and Ernst Noelle (Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann, 2016). At the age of 15, Elisabeth showed
great interested in literature. She decided to write a letter to the well-known writer, Fred Von
Hoerschelmann (Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann, 2016). This started the beginning of many letters
and a friendship until Hoerschelmann died in 1976. Elisabeth spent her high school years in a
couple of private schools. While in high school she would attend lectures of Eduard Baumgarten,
as sociologist and philosopher (Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann, 2016). Elisabeth graduated high
school in 1935. In 1940, she received her PhD in Berlin with a dissertation on American Mass
Surveys on Politics and the Press (Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann, 2016). In 1947, Noelle-Neumann
and her husband founded the Public Opinion Organization in Germany. She was also a President
of the Worlds Association for Public Opinion Research from 1978-1980 (Communication Theory
, 2016).
Noelle-Neumanns studies on medias influence on public opinion dates back to the
1930s and 1940s. But, it wasnt until the early 1970s that she conceptualized the Spiral of
Silence Theory, focusing on what happens when people provide their opinions on a variety of
issues that the media have defined for the public (West & Turner, 2010). The Spiral of Silence
Theory suggests, that people who believe that they hold a minority viewpoint on a public issue
will remain in the background where their communication will be restrained; those who believe
that they hold the majority viewpoint will be more encouraged to speak (West & Turner, 2010).
Even though that this theory was prior to internet it still holds accountable in todays society.
Probably at a higher level now than it did back then due to society revolving around media.
To fully understand a theory, you must break down the key concepts. In the Spiral of
Silence Theory, it is all about public opinion. Public Opinion is defined as, attitudes or
behaviors one must express in public if one is not to isolate one-self; in areas of controversy or
change, public opinions are those attitudes one can express without running the danger of
isolating oneself (West & Turner, 2010). Public opinion isnt always obvious. It can be
frequently distorted and inaccurate through personal observations. Noelle-Neumann calls the
mistake observations about how most people feel pluralistic ignorance (West & Turner, 2010). To
avoid pluralistic ignorance a person will use quasi-statistical sense. This being defined as,

people being able to estimate the strength of opposing sides in a public debate (West & Turner,
2010). People successful complete this by listening to views of others and incorporating that
knowledge into their own viewpoints. As the personal is able to analysis the public opinion they
could make a last minute swing, jumping on the bandwagon of popular opinion after opinions
have been expressed (West & Turner, 2010).
With every theory there comes assumptions. When it comes to The Spiral of Silence
Theory there are three main assumptions; society holds power over those who not conform
through threat of isolation, people are constant assessors of the climate of public opinion, and
publics behavior is influenced by evaluations of public opinion (West & Turner, 2010). To every
assumption Noelle-Neumann had a response explaining what it meant. With the first assumption,
society hold power over those who not conform through threat of isolation, Noelle-Neumann
stated that her beliefs were, that the very fabric of our society depends on people commonly
recognizing and endorsing a set of values. And it is public opinion that determines whether these
values have equal conviction across the populations. When people agree on a common set of
values, then fear of isolation decreases. When there is a difference in values, fear of isolation sets
in (West & Turner, 2010). People are constant assessor of the climate of public opinion was the
second assumption. Noelle-Neumann contends that individuals receive information about public
opinion from two sources; personal observation and the media (West & Turner, 2010). Lastly,
that publics behavior is influenced by evaluations of public opinion. Noelle-Neumann proposed
that public behavior takes the form of either speaking out on a subject or keeping silent. If
individuals sense support for a topic, then they are likely to communicate about it; if they feel
that others do not support a topic, then they maintain silence (West & Turner, 2010).
Produced in 2004 the film Mean Girls is based off the classic high school scene. About an
outsider attempting to fit into the popular crowd and getting revenge on the popular girls, or
known as plastics. The new girl Cady meets two other students that want to seek revenge on the
three popular girls of the school; Gretchen, Karen, and Regina. Cady is forced to try to fit in with
the popular girls to get revenge but ends up finding herself turning into one of them. The script
written by Fey, who plays the teacher, based it from Rosalind Wisemans study of teen girls titled
Queen Bees and Wannabees (Lybarger, 2016). This was a self-help book based on cliques and
conformity. When Walker, main director, was asked about his motivation to make this movie he
responded, Calling someone else fat wont make you any thinner. Calling somebody stupid
wont make you any smarter. Its kind of like straight from Rosalinds kind of gospel. However,
the good thing is that its being related in a way that doesnt feel like a preachy Sunday school
lesson (Lybarger, 2016). Within this film is gives perfect examples of several different
communication theories in use. However, we will just focus on a few of the scenes that show the
Spiral of Silence Theory.
Cady is just starting to be a part of the plastics when after going shopping they all go over
to Reginas house. They pull out the burn book and talk about some of the people that they have
put in it. There is a picture of Cadys others friends; Damen and Janis. Cady makes the
comments, Oh Damen is almost too gay to function (Waters, 2004). This was the same
comment that Janis told Cady about Damen in a joking manner. Cady was using quasi-statistical
sense before making the comment. She subconsciously analyzed the situation and knew that if
she made the comment that they would be more willing to accept her. But, Regina loved the

comment and makes them put it in the book. Immediately afterwards Cady regrets saying it. She
didnt mean for it to actually go in the book. Situations like this make you realize that people
may react out of fear of being isolated, and that their actions may not actually be who they truly
are or who they want to be. They just so desperately want to be accepted and to feel like they are
on the majority side since they dont want to stand out.
As a group of three friends Cady, Janise, and Damen made a pack to make the plastics
life miserable. To see revenge on them without them knowing. They would complete this by
making Cady be a part of the plastics so she can be close to them to ruin their lives. One day at
school the three friends were standing in the hall waiting in a line talking. The moment Cady
sees Regina she warns Janise and Damen to leave. Regina automatically wants to know why
Cady was talking to the unpopular art crowd. It was at this moment that Cady jumps on the
bandwagon and states, I dont know she is so weird. She just came up to me and started talking
to me about crack (Waters, 2004). To stay in the plastic group Cady picked to choose the
majority vote that Janise was weird to be accepted. She had a fear of isolation from the plastic
group. Cady jumps on the bandwagon of the plastics opinions several times throughout the film
insuring that she wont be isolated and that she will still be one of them.
The popular girls have rules depending on which day of the week it is. This specific scene
is about when Regina wasnt wearing the correct outfit.
Gretchen: Regina, youre wearing sweatpants. Its Monday.
Regina: So?
Karen: So, its against the rules and you cant sit with us.
Regina: Oh whatever those rules arent real.
Karen: They were real the day I wore a vest
Regina: Thats cause that vest was disgusting
Gretchen: (Screaming) You cant sit with us
Regina: Sweatpants is all that fits me right now.
(Regina looks at Cady hoping that Cady would stand up for her. Cady sits in silence as Regina
gets up and walks out.) (Waters, 2004)
This scene relates to the Spiral of Silence Theory due to Cadys reaction. Gretchen and Karen
had the majority opinion that Regina shouldnt be sitting at the table because she was wearing
sweats. Regina turned to Cady as if expecting her to stand up for Regina. Regina was responsible
for Cady being a part of the plastic group so, Regina was expecting Cady to be loyal to her. Cady
stayed silent and glanced away as if she didnt have an opinion because she was the minority.
She is trying to keep her status as one of the plastics.
By understanding the different types of communication theories you are able to realize
how society is affected. It makes you realize that society is really only revolved around
communication and the different theories that come with it. By just having a basic understanding
of the Spiral of Silence Theory we were able to see how it plays a role in the film, Mean Girls.
The film gave several examples of like those above. We only touched on some of the examples
but there were so many more. It also didnt include the other different theories that the movie
contains. It makes you wonder if script writers are aware of the communication theories to make
sure that the movie flows and seems more realistic.

References
Communication Theory . (2016, 4 16). Retrieved from The Spiral of Silence Theory :
http://communicationtheory.org/the-spiral-of-silence-theory/
Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann. (2016, 4 16). Retrieved from Biography : http://noelleneumann.de/biography/family-background/
Lybarger, D. (2016, 4 16). Mean Girls . Retrieved from Nitrateonline:
http://www.nitrateonline.com/2004/fmeangirls.html
Waters, M. (Director). (2004). Mean Girls [Motion Picture].
West, R., & Turner, L. H. (2010). Introducing Comminication Theory Analysis and Application .
New York : McGraw-Hill .