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Public Opinion

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the values and attitudes that people have about issues, events, and personalities

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Values

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a person's basic orientation to politics

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Political Ideology

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A cohesive set of beliefs that form a general philosophy about government

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Attitude

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a specific preference on a particular issue; a specific view about a particular issue, personality, or event

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Political socialization

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the induction of individuals into the political culture; learning the underlying beliefs and values on which the political system is based. the process through which underlying political beliefs and values are formed (family, social groups, religion, gender)

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Gender gap

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a distinctive pattern of voting behavior reflecting the differences in views between women and men. men and women often see issues differently, potentially due to their different life experiences

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Ideology

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set of underlying orientations, ideas, and beliefs

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Liberalism

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A political ideology that emphasizes the civil rights of citizens, representative government, and the protection of private property.

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Conservatism

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A political or theological orientation advocating the preservation of the best in society and opposing radical changes.

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Public opinion

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citizens' attitudes about political issues, leaders, institutions, and events.

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Values (or beliefs)

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

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Political ideology

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

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Liberty

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freedom from governmental control.

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Equality of opportunity

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a widely shared American ideal that all people should have the freedom to use whatever talents and wealth they have to reach their fullest potential.

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Democracy

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a system of rule that permits citizens to play a significant part in the governmental process, usually through the election of key public officials.

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Agents of socialization

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social institutions, including families and schools, that help to shape individuals' basic political beliefs and values.

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Libertarianism

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a political ideology that emphasizes freedom and voluntary association with small government.

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Socialism

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a political ideology that emphasizes social ownership or collective government ownership and strong government.

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Liberal

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today this term refers to those who generally support social and political reform; extensive governmental intervention in the economy; the expansion of federal social services; more vigorous efforts on behalf of the poor, minorities, and women; and greater concern for consumers and the environment.

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Conservative

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today this term refers to those who generally support the social and economic status quo and are suspicious of efforts to introduce new political formulae and economic arrangements. Conservatives believe that a large and powerful government poses a threat to citizens' freedom.

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Marketplace of ideas

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the public forum in which beliefs and ideas are exchanged and compete.

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Public-opinion polls

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scientific instruments for measuring public opinion.

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Sample

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a small group selected by researchers to represent the most important characteristics of an entire population.

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Probability sampling

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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.

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Random digit dialing

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a polling method in which respondents are selected at random from a list of ten-digit telephone numbers, with every effort made to avoid bias in the construction of the sample.

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Sampling error (or margin of error)

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

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Social desirability effect

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the effect that results when respondents in a survey report what they expect the interviewer wishes to hear rather than what they believe.

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Selection bias (surveys)

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polling error that arises when the sample is not representative of the population being studied, which creates errors in over-representing or under-representing some opinions.

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Push polling

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a polling technique in which the questions are designed to shape the respondent's opinion.

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Bandwagon effect

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a shift in electoral support to the candidate whom public opinion polls report as the front-runner.

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Median voter theorem

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a proposition predicting that when policy options can be arrayed along a single dimension, majority rule will pick the policy most preferred by the voter whose ideal policy is to the left of half of the voters and to the right of exactly half of the voters.

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OUTLINE

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1. Public opinion is the term used to denote citizens' attitudes about political issues, leaders, institutions, and events. Values (or beliefs) are a person's basic orientation to politics. Political ideology refers to a complex set of beliefs and values that, as a whole, form a general philosophy about government. 2. Often for reasons associated with demographics, Americans' opinions differ widely on a variety of issues. 3. The processes that form political beliefs and values are collectively called political socialization. Social institutions, including families and schools, help to shape an individual's basic political beliefs and values. 4. Most people acquire their initial orientation to politics from their families. 5. Membership in both voluntary and involuntary social groups can affect an individual's political values. Consider the influence of personal experience, group leaders, and political interests in the context of a social group. 6. Conditions under which individuals and groups are recruited into political life help to shape political orientations. 7. Many Americans describe themselves as either liberal or conservative in political orientation.

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How We Form Political Opinions

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1. Although ideologies shape political opinions on particular issues, they seldom fully determine one's views. 2. Political opinions are influenced by an individual's underlying values, his/her knowledge of political issues, and external forces such as government, private groups, and the media.

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Measuring Public Opinion

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1. Politicians and public officials make extensive use of public-opinion polls to help them make decisions. 2. In order to construct public opinion from surveys, the polling sample must be large, and the views of those included in the sample must accurately and proportionately reflect the views of the whole. 3. Push polling can be used to shape the opinion of the person responding to the poll.

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Thinking Critically About Public Opinion and Democracy

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1. Government policies in the United States are generally consistent with popular preferences. There are, however, always some inconsistencies. 2. Disagreements between opinion and policy come about on some issues, such as gun control, because an intensely committed minority can defeat a more apathetic majority. Moreover, the American system of government is not designed to quickly transform changes in opinion into changes in government programs.

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Extended Outline

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See moodle

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Which type of equality is most prominent in the United States?

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equality of opportunity

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Which of the following is a core U.S. value?

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individual liberty

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Conservatives typically favor

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smaller government

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Recent studies by political scientists show that

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the average American exhibits little knowledge of political institutions, processes, or leaders.

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Members of a social group often have similar political beliefs because of all the following except:

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They feel a sense of individualism

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Above all, a public-opinion sample must

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be representative

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The practice of push polling involves

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asking loaded questions to subtly shape the respondent's opinion.

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Which kind of polling error arises when a sample of public opinion overrepresents or underrepresents some opinions?

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selection bias

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______________ are scientific instruments for measuring public opinion

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Public-opinion polls

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What is wrong with the following polling question: Do you think it was appropriate for President Bush to lie so that he could start a war with Iraq?

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push polling

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Which of the following is not important in determining the reliability of a poll?

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size of the population

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Political science research has shown that ____________ in public opinion ____________ to changes in public policy.

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shifts;lead

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Which of the following groups tend to wield outsized influence over policy makers?

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affluent and educated

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The theory that suggests that the most reliable strategy for a politician looking to get re-elected is to adopt the preferences of the median voter is known as

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Median Voter theorem

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How did the framers of the Constitution grapple with the effect public opinion might have on governmental policy?

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by creating a system that did not automatically let popular opinion translate into public policies

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A politician who opposes abortions, government regulation of business, and gay rights legislation would be best described as a

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conservative

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According to ____________, the average American exhibits little knowledge of political institutions, processes, or leaders.

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Recent studies by political scientists

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Public opinion is the term used to denote the beliefs people have about all of the following except

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culture.

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Big government is ____________ considered a core U.S. value.

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not

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Equality of opportunity is ____________ in the United States.

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the most prominent type of equality.

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The Internet and comedy television are the main sources of campaign news for

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younger Americans.

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Political socialization is the process through which

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political beliefs and values are formed.

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Political socialization includes all of the following except

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attending church.

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The 9/11 attacks were a key political event that helped to promote

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patriotism.

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Family provides most people with their ____________ to politics.

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initial orientation

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Family is the most influential agent of socialization in

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early childhood.

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If you prefer smaller government, you are probably a

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conservative.

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Political and voting differences between men and women are known as the

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gender gap.

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If you consider yourself moderate, you are like

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most Americans.

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A perceived deep divide in American culture is known as

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a culture war

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The inherent gulf between the rich and the poor was considered by ____________ to be the most prevalent source of conflict in political life.

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James Madison

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That political conditions affect political beliefs is illustrated by the South's move from the ____________ to the ____________ camp.

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Democratic; Republican

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If you are a person with high education and income, you might be likely to consider yourself a

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libertarian.

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Protestants tend to be politically ____________.

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conservative.

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When people do not have strong feelings about the issue at hand, they are ____________ likely to change their opinions.

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more

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Polls are ____________ instruments for measuring public opinion.

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scientific

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The most important feature of a ____________ is that it is representative.

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public-opinion sample

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The size of the population is ____________ in determining the reliability of a poll.

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not important

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Selection bias occurs when a sample ________________________ some opinions.

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overrepresents or underrepresents

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A push poll might include a question with the following wording:

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Do you think it was appropriate for President Bush to lie to start a war with Iraq?

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Because they were worried about the effect ____________ might have on policy, the Founders created a system that did not automatically let popular opinion translate into public policies.

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public opinion

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Which of the following is an agent of socialization?

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All of the above (education, family, peers)

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The process by which Americans learn political beliefs and values is called

answer

Political socialization

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Variables such as income, education, race, gender, and ethmicity

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Often create differences of political opinion in America

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Members of a social group often have similar political beliefs because of all of the following except

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They feel a sense of individualism

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When men and women respond differently to issues of public policy, they are demonstrating an example of

answer

The gender gap

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