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Pages:
1 page/≈275 words
Sources:
3 Sources
Style:
APA
Subject:
Literature & Language
Type:
Essay
Language:
English (U.S.)
Document:
MS Word
Date:
Total cost:
$ 3.6
Topic:

The Muted Group, Spiral of Silence, and Standpoint Theories

Essay Instructions:

one page, 2 questions, see w12

Readings:

  • Wood, J.T. (2005). Feminist standpoint theory and muted group theory: Commonalities and divergences. Women & Language, 28(2), 61-64. In this short chapter, the author traces the similarities and differences between standpoint theory and muted group theory. You are encouraged to start this week’s readings here.
  • Ballard-Reisch, D. (2010). Muted groups in health communication policy and practice: The case of older adults in rural and frontier areas. Women & Language, 33(2), 87-93. In this article, the author leverages muted group theory and standpoint theory to make the case for the inclusion of rural and frontier voices in the promotion of health-related information, arguing that this information is more effectively disseminated—and thus more effective—when it reflects the perspectives of the people it seeks to influence.

In one page, with your personal experience and the readings, answer 2 questions:

1.What are the differences between muted group theory and spiral of silence theory? What phenomena do each attempt to explain? Does one do a better job of proffering an explanation than the other?

2.Standpoint theory places a great deal of emphasis on the role of social identities (e.g., race, gender, sexuality, etc.) in human communication. Is this emphasis helpful when considered in the context of mass communication? Why or why not?

Essay Sample Content Preview:

W12
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What are the differences between muted group theory and spiral of silence theory? What phenomena do they attempt to explain? Does one do a better job?
Muted group theory argues that some individuals in minority groups have a lot to say but cannot due to their limited power of voicing their opinions. Their inability to express their views comes about due to society’s need to maintain the status quo. The majority gets to have a say and make decisions on behalf of others. The theory explains the phenomena of the structured hierarch in society which considers some groups as superior while others are subordinate (Ballard, 2010, pp. 89-89). In contrast, the spiral of silence theory argues that every individual in a community has the right and ability to express their opinion. However, their willingness to express these opinions is influenced by social groups or the society’s perceptions of whether the shared decisions are approved or rejected to avoid isolation. The theory tries to explain how public opinions shape controls within a community. In my opinion, the muted approach does a better job of explaining the concept of communication by enumerating why some groups, in this case, women and minority groups, rarely ha...
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