Chapter 6: The Politics of Public Opinion Flashcards
A person or entity that teaches and influences others about politics through use of information
Agent of political socialization
Increased media coverage of candidates who poll high
Bandwagon effect
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
Bradley effect
A political ideology based on belief in individual liberties and rights and the idea of free will, and with little role of government
Classical Liberalism
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
Communism
Ideologically slanted information presented as unbiased information in order to influence public opinion
Covert content
The widespread belief that a country and its legal system are legitimate
Diffuse support
An election poll taken by interviewing voters as they leave a polling place
Exit poll
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
Fascism
A public opinion poll that measures a public’s positive feelings about a candidate or politician
Favorability poll
Shortcuts or rules of thumb for decision making
Heuristics
Day-to-day media coverage of candidate performance in the election
Horserace coverage
A question worded to lead a respondent to give a desired answer
Leading question
A number that states how far the poll results may be from the actual preferences of the total population of citizens
Margin of error
A political ideology that prioritizes individual liberties, preferring a smaller government that stays out of the economy
Modern conservatism
A political ideology focused on equality and supportive government intervention in society and the economy if it promotes equality
Modern liberalism
Political information whose author makes clear that only one side is presented
Overt content
The prevailing political attitudes and beliefs within a society or region
Political culture
A political opinion leader who alerts the public to changes or problems
Political elite
The process of learning the norms and practices of a political system through others and societal institutions
Political socialization
A collection of opinions of an individual or a group of individuals on a topic, person, or event
Public opinion
Politically biased campaign information presented as a poll in order to change minds
Push poll
A limited number of people from the overall population selected in such a way that each has an equal chance of being chosen
Random sample
A group of respondents demographically similar to the population of interest
Representative sample
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
Socialism
An informal and unofficial election poll conducted with a non-random population
Straw poll
A theory that assumes the politician is in office to be the voice of the people and to vote only as the people want
Theory of delegate representation
A political ideology supporting the authority of the monarchy and the church in the belief that government provides the rule of law
Traditional conservatism
CC
The ability of the President to shape public opinion is known as:
Bully pulpit
CC
Which President began the tradition of Presidents talking directly to the people?
Franklin Roosevelt
CC
According to the video, the groups that are better in swaying public opinion usually have:
More money
CC
The way a story is interpreted is known as:
Framing
CC
Public opinion is generally very stable.
False
CC
__________ describes the what, who, and how of policies, and _______ describes the why.
Government, Politics
CC
What is public opinion?
How a nation’s population collectively views vital policy issues and evaluates political leaders.
CC
Over which part of the American government system do Americans have direct influence?
The House of Representatives
CC
Which of the following are examples of methods of collecting public opinion?
Voting
Election results
Polling
CC
______ are taken immediately after an election, and are ________.
Exit polls, unreliable
T
How do polls affect the presidential elections?
Polls identify the top candidate and the media interviews them.
T
Which institution has the most stable public approval ratings?
The Supreme Court
