Unit 6

Question 1

Public Opinion

Answer 1

The distribution of the population’s beliefs about politics and policy issues.

Question 2

Simpson-Mazzoli Act

Answer 2

A law that requires that employers document the citizenships of its employees.

Question 3

Melting Pot

Answer 3

Characterizes the United States with its history of immigration and mixing of cultures, ideas, and people.

Question 4

Political Culture

Answer 4

An overall set of values widely shared within the society. Basic American values are the principal of treating all equally.

Question 5

Reapportionment

Answer 5

The process of reallocating seats in the House of Representatives every decade on the basis of results from the Census.

Question 6

Political Socialization

Answer 6

A process where people become aware, and form political attitudes, views, and knowledge through agents of socialization (family, media, education, etc.).

Question 7

What are the agents of socialization?

Answer 7

• Family
• School (Government “socializes” the young)
• Media
• Peer Groups
• Religious Organizations

Question 8

What does it mean for political socialization to be anticipatory?

Answer 8

Political socialization starts in childhood. We anticipate it into our adult roles; our political views grow firmer with age.

Question 9

Formal Socialization includes:

Answer 9

In-class learning about politics.

Question 10

Informal Socialization includes:

Answer 10

Picking up and absorbing political information by chance. Examples include learning through family, the media, or schools.

Question 11

Sampling Error

Answer 11

The difference between the sample’s results and the true result of the entire population if they had been interviewed.

Question 12

What is the most important factor in a public opinion survey?

Answer 12

Accurate representation.

Question 13

Exit poll

Answer 13

Public opinion surveys used by mass media pollsters to predict electoral winners with speed and precision.

Question 14

True or False: Americans have lost their fundamental faith in our democracy.

Answer 14

False - Widespread political cynicism about the government only applies to the “usual times.” In times of national crisis, Americans will surely back the government, even if our trust in them is low.

Question 15

Political Ideologies

Answer 15

A coherent set of beliefs about politics, public policy, and public purpose, which gives meaning to political events.

Question 16

Gender Gap

Answer 16

Women are more likely to support Democratic candidates than men.

Question 17

Political Participation

Answer 17

All the activities that citizens engage in to influence the selection of leaders and policies they want to pursue.

Question 18

Conventional forms of political participation

Answer 18

Voting, ringing doorbells for petitions, running for office.

Question 19

Unconventional forms of political participation

Answer 19

Protesting, civil disobedience, violence.

Question 20

What are the four types of voters?

Answer 20

• Ideologues: voters who choose candidates whose beliefs and values align with their own.
• Group Benefits: voters who choose political groups they like and avoid those they dislike.
• Nature of The Times: voters who choose candidates that would benefit the health/fortune of the nation.
• No Issue: voters who simply choose who they like or dislike as a person, not by the policies they advocate for.

Question 21

What are the symbols of the political system?

Answer 21

• Political Community
• Regime
• Government

Question 22

Political Community

Answer 22

The people who chose to abide by a set of rules to achieve unity.

Question 23

Regime

Answer 23

The United States. Domestically, it is the formal and informal structure in which decisions are made. Relates to structures/offices.

Question 24

Government

Answer 24

Specific political decision makers in positions of authority. Relates to individuals, such as the President who resides in offices embedded in the regime.

Question 25

How do you change the government? The regime?

Answer 25

Vote to change the government. Change the Constitution to change the regime.

Question 26

Linkages

Answer 26

Pathways that connect the citizens and government. Consists of linkage mechanisms (processes and rules).