Of the subject of public opinion in social and psychological science

The article analyzes the problem of defining the subject of public opinion, the relationship between the concepts of subject and exponent of public opinion, as well as the problem of identifying groups and communities whose opinion is public. It was established that a person as a subject is characterized by activity, the ability to develop and integrate, self-determination, self-regulation, self-movement and self-improvement. It was determined that human communities, in particular small, medium, large social groups and other social associations are independent collective subjects of life. The most important feature of a collective subject is the ability to be active, active, integrated, that is, a single entity. It was found that one of the ways of self-actualization of the subjective capabilities of a modern person is his realization as a subject of public opinion. An important role in this is played by the intersubjective content of subjective reality, which reproduces the historical experience of the collective existence of people. It was established that public opinion is a specific manifestation of mass consciousness, which is expressed in assessments (verbal and non-verbal) and characterizes the attitude of people to socially significant events and facts, current problems of social life. It was determined that the subject (carrier) of public opinion is a society that has an internal structure that is important for sociological research. These are social communities, classes, socio-professional groups, etc. Public opinion is formed within these communities. Individuals and groups of people can be exponents of public opinion. The main types of subjects of public opinion and their potential in its creation are determined. The study revealed the role of primary groups in the formation and functioning of public opinion. It has been established that it is in the primary groups that the cornerstone ideals are formed, which turn into public consciousness