Chapter 9 - Public Opinion

Question 1

Public opinion

Answer 1

The collection of attitudes and preferences of the mass public

Question 2

Population

Answer 2

In statistical research, the entire group about which you want to learn, such as all adults living in the United States

Question 3

Sample

Answer 3

In statistical research, a subset of the population chosen to provide information for the research about the population

Question 4

Random selection

Answer 4

Choosing a sample such that each member of a population has an equal chance of being selected into the sample

Question 5

Margin of error

Answer 5

In statistical research, the range of outcomes we expect for a population, given the data revealed by a sample drawn from that population

Question 6

Biased sample

Answer 6

A sample that, because it does not accurately represent the overall population, is likely to lead to erroneous conclusions about the population

Question 7

Rationality

Answer 7

The habit of choosing the best choice among available options given one’s interests and information

Question 8

Priming

Answer 8

The psychological process of shaping people’s perceptions of a particular issue, figure, or policy

Question 9

Framing

Answer 9

Establishing the context for an issue in such a way as to emphasize certain aspects over others

Question 10

Ideology

Answer 10

A coherent, organized set of ideas and principles that function as a core on which individuals draw when forming their attitudes about public affairs

Question 11

Party identification (or partisanship)

Answer 11

Loyalty or psychological attachment to a political party

Question 12

Non- attitude

Answer 12

A lack of opinion on an issue or an opinion so weakly held that it does not enter into a person’s calculations about voting or taking some other political action, even though the person may express an opinion to a pollster