Chapter 6: The Politics of Public Opinion

Question 1

A person or entity that teaches and influences others about politics through use of information

Answer 1

Agent of political socialization

Question 2

Increased media coverage of candidates who poll high

Answer 2

Bandwagon effect

Question 3

T

The difference between a poll result and an election result in which voters gave a socially desirable poll response rather than a true response that might be perceived as racist

Answer 3

Bradley effect

Question 4

A political ideology based on belief in individual liberties and rights and the idea of free will, and with little role of government

Answer 4

Classical Liberalism

Question 5

A political and economic system in which, in theory, government promotes common ownership of all property, means of production, and materials to prevent the exploitation of workers while creating an equal society; in practice, most communist governments have used force to maintain control

Answer 5

Communism

Question 6

Ideologically slanted information presented as unbiased information in order to influence public opinion

Answer 6

Covert content

Question 7

The widespread belief that a country and its legal system are legitimate

Answer 7

Diffuse support

Question 8

An election poll taken by interviewing voters as they leave a polling place

Answer 8

Exit poll

Question 9

A political system of total control by the ruling party or political leader over the economy, the military, society, and culture and often the private lives of citizens

Answer 9

Fascism

Question 10

A public opinion poll that measures a public’s positive feelings about a candidate or politician

Answer 10

Favorability poll

Question 11

Shortcuts or rules of thumb for decision making

Answer 11

Heuristics

Question 12

Day-to-day media coverage of candidate performance in the election

Answer 12

Horserace coverage

Question 13

A question worded to lead a respondent to give a desired answer

Answer 13

Leading question

Question 14

A number that states how far the poll results may be from the actual preferences of the total population of citizens

Answer 14

Margin of error

Question 15

A political ideology that prioritizes individual liberties, preferring a smaller government that stays out of the economy

Answer 15

Modern conservatism

Question 16

A political ideology focused on equality and supportive government intervention in society and the economy if it promotes equality

Answer 16

Modern liberalism

Question 17

Political information whose author makes clear that only one side is presented

Answer 17

Overt content

Question 18

The prevailing political attitudes and beliefs within a society or region

Answer 18

Political culture

Question 19

A political opinion leader who alerts the public to changes or problems

Answer 19

Political elite

Question 20

The process of learning the norms and practices of a political system through others and societal institutions

Answer 20

Political socialization

Question 21

A collection of opinions of an individual or a group of individuals on a topic, person, or event

Answer 21

Public opinion

Question 22

Politically biased campaign information presented as a poll in order to change minds

Answer 22

Push poll

Question 23

A limited number of people from the overall population selected in such a way that each has an equal chance of being chosen

Answer 23

Random sample

Question 24

A group of respondents demographically similar to the population of interest

Answer 24

Representative sample

Question 25

A political and economic system in which government uses its authority to promote social and economic equality, providing everyone with basic services and equal opportunities and requiring citizens with more wealth to contribute more

Answer 25

Socialism

Question 26

An informal and unofficial election poll conducted with a non-random population

Answer 26

Straw poll

Question 27

A theory that assumes the politician is in office to be the voice of the people and to vote only as the people want

Answer 27

Theory of delegate representation

Question 28

A political ideology supporting the authority of the monarchy and the church in the belief that government provides the rule of law

Answer 28

Traditional conservatism

Question 29

CC

The ability of the President to shape public opinion is known as:

Answer 29

Bully pulpit

Question 30

CC

Which President began the tradition of Presidents talking directly to the people?

Answer 30

Franklin Roosevelt

Question 31

CC

According to the video, the groups that are better in swaying public opinion usually have:

Answer 31

More money

Question 32

CC

The way a story is interpreted is known as:

Answer 32

Framing

Question 33

CC

Public opinion is generally very stable.

Answer 33

False

Question 34

CC

__________ describes the what, who, and how of policies, and _______ describes the why.

Answer 34

Government, Politics

Question 35

CC

What is public opinion?

Answer 35

How a nation’s population collectively views vital policy issues and evaluates political leaders.

Question 36

CC

Over which part of the American government system do Americans have direct influence?

Answer 36

The House of Representatives

Question 37

CC

Which of the following are examples of methods of collecting public opinion?

Answer 37

Voting
Election results
Polling

Question 38

CC

______ are taken immediately after an election, and are ________.

Answer 38

Exit polls, unreliable

Question 39

T

How do polls affect the presidential elections?

Answer 39

Polls identify the top candidate and the media interviews them.

Question 40

T

Which institution has the most stable public approval ratings?

Answer 40

The Supreme Court