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How does the spiral of silence affect people with minority opinions?

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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 spiral of silence theory, developed by Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann, explains that individuals possess an unconscious fear of social isolation, which leads them to monitor their environment for signs of approval or disapproval regarding their opinions.1

When people perceive that their views are in the minority on a controversial or morally loaded issue, they often fear that expressing those opinions will lead to social rejection, such as criticism or scorn. Consequently, these individuals tend to censor themselves and refrain from speaking out.123

This behavior creates a self-reinforcing cycle: as those with minority views remain silent, the opposing, perceived-majority view becomes more vocal and confident. This increased volume further intimidates those in the minority, making them feel increasingly isolated and less likely to share their perspectives. Ultimately, this process can cause an opinion to dominate public discourse even if it is not held by a true majority, simply because the alternative view is suppressed by the fear of social consequences.1