Interaction between Attitude and the Definition of the Situation in the Expression of Opinion

Abstract

T HE main purpose of the study is to explore the relationships between a person's private opinion and his definition of the situation and how they effect his expression of public opinion in a social situation. The pursuit of this objective is divided into two phases. The first is an experimental study in which the only aspect of the individual's definition of the situation under consideration is his estimate of the group opinion. This part of the study describes the extent to which each individual alters his private opinion to conform to his estimation of the group opinion when asked to express his opinion in that group. The second phase of the study uses case materials to gain insight into the reasons for the behavior of the extreme conformists and non-conformists. In this material other aspects of each person's definition of the situation are considered in addition to his estimate of the group opinion. In order to observe the dynamic interplay between each person's private opinion and his definition of the situation which interact to develop his expression of public opinion, it is necessary to study a group: (1) in which there is a wide range of private opinions, (2) where the members of the group are so intimately acquainted as to have a clear definition of the situation with respect to the particular subject upon which they are asked to express themselves, and (3) where there is variation in the definition of the situation from person to person resulting from differences in each person's background, the nature of his connection with the group, and his role and status in the group.