Flashcards in chapter 8: opinion, voting Deck (67)
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Interviews conducted to learn candidate preference and the issue positions of potential voters
Canvass
1
The distribution of individual preferences for or evaluations of a given issue, candidate, or institution within a specific population
Public opinion
2
The portion of the population which holds a particular opinion
Distribution
3
How is public opinion collected?
Polls and surveys
4
Every individual has a known chance of being selected for a survey
Random sample
5
What is the general margin of error?
3 percent in any direction
6
Why is writing accurate polls so difficult?
The wording of the questions can influence the answers
7
Questions which permit respondents to answer in their own words
Open ended questions
8
Why are open ended questions the most effective?
Respondents can express their views more clearly and provide deeper insight.
9
What 4 things, in addition to the data, must a scientific poll report?
1) sample size
2) margin of error
3) time questioned
4) place
10
When a substantial percentage agrees, it's called a _______.
Consensus
11
When opposing sides feel intensely about an issue, it's called _______.
Polarizing
12
2 examples of polarizing issues
The Vietnam War
Gay marriage
13
3 factors which make public opinion are
Intensity
Latency
Salience
14
Public opinions which exist, but may not have been fully expressed
Latency
15
Why would leaders want to know latent opinions?
They will know how to mobilize people and draw them to the polls
16
Example of latent opinion in US
Desire for security against foreign enemies
17
The extent to which people believe issues are relevant to them
Salience
18
Salient issues in the 70s
Vietnam and watergate
19
Salient issues now
Health care, education, and war in the Middle East
20
The process by which we develop our political attitudes
Political socialization
21
A consciousness of the nation and of belonging to that entity
Nationalism
22
What percent of Americans know the name of their congressional candidates?
15
23
What percent of Americans make up the attentive public?
25
24
Citizens who follow public affairs closely
Attentive public
25
Political know nothings
About 67% of Americans, who are interests in politics only sometimes and who rarely vote
26
Those who participate selectively in elections, usually only presidential elections
Part time citizens, 40% of population
27
How can people in totalitarian governments participate in politics?
Violently via revolution
28
Why was the 2000 election controversial?
The vote count in Florida was too close to call
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