Chapter 6: Political Socialization And Public Opinion Flashcards
In a poll, the group of people whose opinions are of interest and/or about whom information is desired.
Population
The process by which we develop our political values and opinions throughout our lives.
Political Socialization
The public’s expressed views about an issue at a specific point in time
Public Opinion
a special type of poll that both provides information to campaigns about candidate strengths and weaknesses and attempts to skew public opinion about a candidate
Push Polls
polls that measure changes in public opinion over the course of days, weeks, or months by repeatedly asking respondents the same questions and measuring changes in their responses
Tracking Polls
also called margin of error; a statistical calculation of the difference in results between a poll of a randomly drawn sample and a poll of the entire population
Sampling Error
a process of random sampling in which the national population is divided into fourths and certain areas within these regions are selected as representative of the national population
stratified sampling
a method by which pollsters structure a sample so that it is representative of the characteristics of the target population
Quota Sample
A survey of a given population’s opinion on an issue or a candidate at a particular point in time
Public Opinion Poll
Measurable difference in the way women and men vote for candidates and in the way they view political issues.
Gender Gap
The individuals, organizations, and institutions that facilitate the acquisition of political views.
EX: family, community, media, schools, civic participation, churches
Agents of Socialization
a poll conducted in an unscientific manner, used to predict election outcomes
Straw Poll
A scientific method of selection for a poll in which each member of the population has an equal chance at being included in the sample
Random Sampling
the impact of an important external event in shaping the views of a generation
Generational Effect
polls conducted at polling places on Election Day to project the winner of an election before the polls close
Exit Polls
