通过分析2012年全国性调查数据，本文揭示了当前我国公众对公共关系认知的基本现状。其一，公众倾向于认为公关是拥有一定专业性的传播实践；其二，国家和政府是最主要的公关主体，公关能促使国家/组织事务成功；其三，公关对新闻拥有积极而非消极影响，一定程度上二者都以事实为基础，拥有相同的价值观；其四，公关业的职业道德受到认可。追溯公众心目中的公关形象从消极向积极转变的动因，主要在以下三方面：公关需求与实践的增长提升了其社会“能见度”；从业者的职业化呼吁和社会责任倡导为公关有力“正名”；公关学术研究与高等教育的迅疾发展产生了有益的影响。

By analyzing national survey data conducted in 2012, this research reveals the present situation of the public’s PR perception. Data suggest that in the eyes of the public, PR as a professional communication industry, mostly needed by the state and the government, helps to gain success of the state or organization. Having positive impacts on the journalism, PR is also believed by the public to have some certain degree of moral standards. Our ?ndings show a tremendous transition of public’s PR perception, from negative to positive. The authors suggest that the following three reasons account for this change. Firstly, signi?cant increase of the needs and practice of PR have promoted its social visibility. Secondly, professional appeal and social responsibility advocated by practitioners have helped to improve PR image. Finally, development of PR researches and higher education have produced positive impacts.