Silence is a construction: An exploratory study of people’s everyday understandings

In this exploratory study, we documented the variety of meanings and range of experiences that people associate with the word “silence”. The research involved developing premises for a “qualitative-first” content analysis, based on the anonymous responses of 116 participants to six incomplete sentences prompts. If a participant described two or more features of silence in their response, we coded these entries separately. We analyzed 890 codes via social representations theory. The analysis of the data suggests that social representations of silence are not purely sensory but rather are constructed. In other words, they are mediated by specific activities, intentions, emotions, values, and interactions with others or the self. Regardless of whether moments of silence occur intentionally or unexpectedly, they appear to influence attention and focus on different tasks. These moments can also serve as a necessary contrast and variation during everyday life activities. One of the key aspects of the data concerns the relational dimensions of silence and their potential to deepen or jeopardize our relationship with the self, others, the environment, or even God for some. The value of contextual and sociocultural approaches to the study of silence in everyday life is further discussed considering these findings.