Walter Lippmann

Public Opinion

1. IDEA 1

   We act on images, not reality

   Lippmann argues that people cannot directly know the vast world beyond their experience. Instead, they act on simplified mental images, which may differ greatly from reality. In his view, this gap is a basic problem for public life.

2. IDEA 2

   We live in a pseudo-environment

   Lippmann describes the pseudo-environment, the picture of the world that each person builds from limited information. People respond to this picture, not to reality itself. Because each person's picture differs, people can sincerely disagree about what is happening.

3. IDEA 3

   Stereotypes simplify the world

   Lippmann popularised the word stereotype for fixed mental pictures we use to make sense of people and events. They save effort but can mislead. Once a fixed idea is in place, we tend to notice only what fits it.

All 8 ideas from Public Opinion →