Chapter 8 Public Opinion (Gov 1)

Question 1

Gender gap

Answer 1

Patterned differences in political opinions between women and men

Question 2

Political elites

Answer 2

Individuals who control significant wealth, status, power, or visibility and consequently have significant influence over public debates

Question 3

Sampling frame

Answer 3

A designed group of people from whom a set of poll respondents is randomly selected

Question 4

Demographic group

Answer 4

People sharing specific characteristics such as age, ethnicity/race, religion, or country of origin

Question 5

Likely voters

Answer 5

Persons identified as probable voters in an upcoming election. Often preferred by polling organizations, but difficult to specify with great accuracy

Question 6

Framing effects

Answer 6

The influence, on the respondent, of how a polling question is asked; changes in wording can significantly alter many people’s answer.

Question 7

Push poll

Answer 7

A form of negative campaigning that masquerades as a regular opinion survey. Usually conducted by a campaign or allied group; features strongly critical or unflattering information about an opponent

Question 8

Margin of sampling error

Answer 8

The degree of inaccuracy in any poll, arising from the fact that surveys involve a sample of respondents from a population, rather than every member

Question 9

Response bias

Answer 9

The tendency of poll respondents to misstate their views, frequently to avoid “shameful” opinions like sexism or racism

Question 10

Bandwagon effect

Answer 10

When people join a cause because it seems popular or support a candidate who is leading in the polls

Question 11

Boomerang effect

Answer 11

The discrepancy between candidates’ high poll ratings and election performance, caused by supporters’ assumption that an easy win means they need not turn out

Question 12

Underdog effect

Answer 12

Sympathy for a candidate behind in the polls, contributing to a higher-than-predicted vote total and sometimes a surprise election victory

Question 13

Nonattitudes

Answer 13

The lack of a stable perspective in response to opinion surveys; answers to questions may be self-contradictory or may display no ideological consistency

Question 14

Information shortcuts

Answer 14

Cues about candidates and policies drawn from everyday life, party preferences, and significant figures like friends, family, and trusted leaders. Most people use these cues to form basic political opinions

Question 15

Groupthink

Answer 15

The tendency among a small group of decision-makers to converge on a shared set of views; can limit creative thinking or solutions to policy problems

Question 16

Survey research

Answer 16

Systematic study of a defined population, analyzing a representative sample’s views to draw inferences about the larger public’s views. Also termed opinion poll

Question 17

Mandate

Answer 17

Political authority claimed by an election winner as reflecting the approval of the people

Question 18

Approval rating

Answer 18

A measure of public support for a political figure or institution

Question 19

Executive order

Answer 19

A presidential declaration, with the force of law, that issues instructions to the executive branch without any requirement for congressional action or approval

Question 20

Policy agenda

Answer 20

The issues that the media covers, the public considers important, and politicians address. Setting the agenda is the first step in political action