Describe the evolution of public opinion

What will be an ideal response?

Answer: Public opinion evolves in the following manner: (1) Public opinion starts with an already present mass sentiment, a consensus that was developed as a result of earlier public debates. (2) It begins to evolve when an issue is interjected into that consensus. For something to be considered an issue, it has to affect a variety of groups and be seen as evolving. (3) Like-minded individuals coalesce into a public. Often these publics can be characterized as being either pro or con. However, many issues are complex and have more than two sides. (4) The various publics engage in public and private debate over the issue. This debate can take many forms. It is at this stage that the practice of public relations has its greatest influence among publics that have not yet formed a strong opinion. (5) There is an unspecified period of time in which the debate occurs and people make up their minds. The amount of time needed for this to happen varies from issue to issue. With some issues, such as gun control and abortion, the debate never seems to end. (6) Eventually, the debate leads to a consensus, which is known as public opinion. (7) In turn, that public opinion evolves into some form of social action, such as a policy change, an election, or the passing of a new law. (8) At this point, the issue evolves into a social value that, in turn, becomes a part of the already present mass sentiment, and the public opinion process begins anew.