Artikel

Publieke opinie: enquêteverslag of sociaalpolitiek interactieproces?:"common sense" versus "wetenschap"

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Abstract

Public opinion ; Opinion poll or sociopolitical interaction process ? 'Common sense' vs 'science' - The term ’public opinion’ is commonly used to refer to the findings of a single opinion poll. The usage is questionable and is therefore evaluated from a scientific framework. We define public opinion from a symbolic interactionistic point of view as a sociopolitical process of interaction or, in other words, as a process of communication linked to decision making. Details are presented with regard to communicators and the process of communication. These details are the result of an examination of the literature of the last decades on public opinion. The following communicators are described : individuals, groupings, decision-making bodies, the media and camps. Communication phenomena that are dealt with include : definition of the situation, opinions on coping with the situation, definition of communicators, opinions on relations with them and effects of the interaction on acting towards the situation and fellow-communicators. In addition fundamental research in general is briefly discussed. It is demonstrated that the equalization of opinion polls and public opinion is reductionistic. Public opinion is a social phenomenon and cannot be adequately described in atomistic terms. Individuals are socially embedded, and social interaction and groupings determine the process. Moreover, public opinion is a dynamic process, it is characterized by developments over time. Therefore fundamental research should take place from a symbolic-interactionistic point of view

How to Cite:

Hulsen, G., (1990) “Publieke opinie: enquêteverslag of sociaalpolitiek interactieproces?:"common sense" versus "wetenschap"”, Tijdschrift voor Sociale Wetenschappen 35(3), 261–302. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/tvsw.95049