Chapter 6 Vocab: Public Opinion and Political Socialization: Shaping the People's Voice

Question 1

Public opinion

Answer 1

The politically relevant opinions held by ordinary citizens that they express openly.

Question 2

Public opinion poll

Answer 2

A device for measuring public opinion whereby a relatively small number of individuals (the sample) are interviewed for the purpose of estimating the opinions the opinions of a whole community (the population). (See also “sample”)

Question 3

Sample

Answer 3

In a public opinion poll, the relatively small number of individuals who are interviewed for the purpose of estimating the opinions of an entire population. (See also “public opinion poll”)

Question 4

Population

Answer 4

In a public opinion poll, the people (for example, the citizens of a nation) whose opinions are being estimated through interviews with a sample of these people.

Question 5

Sampling error

Answer 5

A measure of the accuracy of a public opinion poll, mainly a function of sample size and usually expressed in percentage terms.

Question 6

Direction

Answer 6

An opinion dimension; whether people have a pro or con opinion on an issue.

Question 7

Intensity

Answer 7

An opinion dimension; how strongly people feel about an issue.

Question 8

Salience

Answer 8

An opinion dimension; how highly people rank an issue relative to other issues.

Question 9

Political socialization

Answer 9

The learning process by which people acquire their political opinions, beliefs, and values.

Question 10

Agents of socialization

Answer 10

Agents, such as the family and the media, that have significant impact on citizens’ political socialization.

Question 11

Party identification

Answer 11

The personal sense of loyalty that an individual may feel toward a particular political party. (See also “party realignment”)

Question 12

Ideology

Answer 12

A general belief about the role and purpose of government.

Question 13

Economic liberals

Answer 13

Those who believe government should do more to assist people who have difficulty meeting their economic needs on their own. (See also “economic conservatives”; “cultural [social] liberals”; “cultural [social] conservatives”)

Question 14

Economic conservatives

Answer 14

Those who believe government tries to do too many things that should be left to private interests and economic markets. (See also “economic liberals”; “cultural [social] liberals”; “cultural [social] conservatives”)

Question 15

Cultural (social) liberals

Answer 15

Those who believe it is not government’s role to buttress traditional values at the expense of unconventional or new values. (See also economic liberals; economic conservatives; cultural [social] conservatives.)

Question 16

Cultural (social) conservatives

Answer 16

Those who believe government power should be used to uphold traditional values. (See also economic liberals; economic conservatives; cultural [social] liberals.)

Question 17

Identity politics

Answer 17

The situation where people base their concerns on a group identity (such as race or religion) and align themselves with those who share that identity to the exclusion of other groups.

Question 18

Delegate

Answer 18

An elected representative whose obligation is to act in accordance with the expressed wishes of the people he or she represents. (See also “trustee”)

Question 19

Trustee

Answer 19

An elected representative whose obligation is to act in accordance with his or her own conscience as to what policies are in the best interests of the public. (See also “delegate”)