Chapter 6: Public Opinion

Question 1

public opinion

Answer 1

citizen’s attitudes about political issues, leaders, institutions, and events

Question 2

values (or beliefs)

Answer 2

basic principles that shape a person’s opinions about political issues and events

Question 3

liberty

Answer 3

freedom from governmental control

Question 4

equality of opportunity

Answer 4

widely shared American ideal that all people should have freedom to use their talents and wealth to reach full potential

Question 5

political ideology

Answer 5

cohesive set of beliefs that forms a general philosophy about the role of government

Question 6

attitude (or opinion)

Answer 6

a specific preference on a particular issue

Question 7

classical liberalism

Answer 7

Defined in classical political theory
someone who favors individual entrepreneurship and is suspicious of gov’t and its ability to manage economic/social affairs

Question 8

social liberalism

Answer 8

political ideology formed in 20th century when liberals and progressives came together in support of the belief that *government action are often needed to preserve individual liberty and promote equality

Question 9

progressives

Answer 9

proponents of a larger/more active government

Question 10

liberal

Answer 10

those who generally support social/political reform, gov’t intervention in economy, more economic equality, progressive taxation, expasion of federal social services, and greater concern for consumers and environment

Question 11

conservative

Answer 11

those suspicious of efforts to introduce new political formulas and economic arangements
believe that large gov’t poses threat to individual’s freedom
belive solutions to societal problems should be developed in private sector/local communities/religious organizations
support reduction of gov’t spending
generally oppose gov’t regulation of businesses including environmental policies that interfere with private business/individual choice

Question 12

Libertarianism

Answer 12

Political ideology emphasizing individual freedom and minimal gov’t interferance in personal/economic matters
*often oppose business/environmental regulation measures and gun control
*support legalization of drugs and policies reducing gov’t interferance in private decisions

Question 13

Democratic Socialism

Answer 13

Political ideology supporting market capitalism but favoring a larger government social safety net to ensure more equality of opportunity: free public college, free universal child healthcare, single-payer healthcare, monthly payments to poor families with children, progressive taxation, and protection of worker’s rights/unions

Question 14

political socialization

Answer 14

induction of individuals into the political culture; learning the underlying beliefs and values on which the political system is based

Question 15

agents of socialization

Answer 15

social institutions, including familes and schools, that help to shape individual’s basic political beliefs and values

Question 16

Linked Fate

Answer 16

Phenomenon refered to by political scientists
*Black Americans perceiving other Black people as members of a group with a common identity and shared political interest in overcoming persistent racial and economic inequality

Question 17

gender gap

Answer 17

a distinctive pattern of voting behavior reflecting the differences in views between women and men

Question 18

shortcuts and cues

Answer 18

method of obtaining political information to make political decisions “on the cheap”
relying on cues from sources individuals trust - family, friends, politicians, social networks
*reduces political knowledge

Question 19

skim and scan

Answer 19

method of consuming news and information in which headlines online are skimmed and scanned through
*news outlets nowadays opt to publish shorter articles and flashier headlines
*reduces political knowledge

Question 20

accurate political surveys

Answer 20

must make use of an appropriate sampling methode (random choosing)

must make use of a sufficiently large sample size

must avoid selection bias

must use correct timing (ex: 2 months before an election different than 1 week before)

Question 21

sample

Answer 21

small group selected by reseachers to represent the most important characteristics of an entire population

Question 22

simple random sample/probability sample

Answer 22

a method used by pollsters to select a representative sample in which every individual in the population has an equal probability of being selected as a respondent

Question 23

random digit dialing

Answer 23

computer random-number generator used to produce a list of 10-digit telephone numbers

*telephone/text message surveys can be accurate/cost-effective
*many refuse to answer the political questions
*response rates have been steadily declining

Question 24

sampling error/margin of error

Answer 24

polling error that arises based on the small size of the sample

Question 25

social desirability bias

Answer 25

a phenomenon in which respondents report what they believe to be the socially acceptable response rather than what they actually know/believe

Question 26

selection bias

Answer 26

when a sample is not accurately representative of the population being studied
*results in the under/overrepresentation of certain opinions

Question 27

bandwagon effect

Answer 27

a shift in electoral support based on whom public-opinion polls report as the front-runner