Pauline O. answered 05/25/26
University Professor Specializing in Communication, Research, ELA/Math
I would answer yes and no. No, because public relations does not look at public attitudes, which connotes a passive observation. Rather, it monitors, studies and evaluates public attitudes. This recognition highlights some critical aspects of public relations. First, it underlines the importance of research in PR. Every public relations activity must be based on investigations carried out to identify the problem or program involved, the magnitude of the problem/program, the publics affected, their media habits and of course their attitudes in relation to the issue.
The expression also showcases the primacy of public opinion/attitudes. The only reason to track public attitudes is because it matters significantly. In the past, the attitudes of the people were not considered, however, in modern times, the recognition that public attitudes determine people’s actions and inactions led to the growth of public relations as a discipline that studies public attitudes to help organizations anticipate and forestall negative public actions or reactions to organizational activities or policies. Evaluating public attitudes helps organizations to strategically anticipate the direction of stakeholders’ behavior and operate several steps ahead of them. Thus, negative tendencies are nipped in the bud while positive ones are groomed to flourish.