A Public Opinion Game

Classroom use of a role-playing procedure can illustrate graphically the way socio-economic status, personal interests, primary group affiliation, secondary group membership, and other factors enter into the formation of individual opinions on public issues. This technique can also highlight the difference between private opinion and public opinion, indicate the mechanism through which a relatively few individuals can influence the opinions of a large number, and throw light on the effects of publicity and public discussion on the distribution of opinions in a population. Adaptations of this “game” may prove useful as a research tool.