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How does the sociological view of public opinion differ from the political-science view?

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Portrait print of Jacques Necker by Henri Grevedon after Joseph-Sifford Duplessis, showing Necker in 18th-century attire with a lace cravat and curled hair, facing slightly right. — public opinion Jacques Necker, print by Henri Grévedon after a painting by Louis-Joseph-Siffrède Duplessis, 1822; in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

The sociological and political-science perspectives on public opinion differ primarily in their scope and definition of the phenomenon.

Political scientists typically focus on the role of public opinion within government and policy-making. They often view public opinion as a singular "national will," implying that only one dominant opinion can exist on an issue at any given time.1

In contrast, sociologists define public opinion as a dynamic product of social interaction and communication. From this viewpoint:
* Multiplicity: There can be many different public opinions on a single issue simultaneously, rather than one monolithic national will.1
* Interaction: Opinions only become "public" when they are conveyed to others through media or interpersonal conversation.1
* Scope: The sociological approach extends beyond politics to include areas like fads, fashions, and attitudes toward corporations or celebrities, viewing public opinion as an interactive and continuously changing process.1

While political scientists often prioritize the influence of opinion on government policy, sociologists emphasize the social processes that allow various organized bodies of opinion to emerge and evolve.1