Political Culture & Interest Groups

Question 1

This states that society is split according to class, with the upper-class holding all the power and refusing to share it. It says that only a few people benefit from lobbying.

Answer 1

Elitist Theory

Question 2

A theory stating that people will choose the option that will be the most to their advantage and personal gain

Answer 2

Rational choice theory

Question 3

A direct technique that is used by interest groups when they make a monetary contribution to the political campaign of an individual they hope will help them out.

Answer 3

Interest Group Strategies: Campaign Assistance

Question 4

A citizen’s obligation to obey the law and participate in the political process. This could include things like jury duty and voting.

Answer 4

Civic duty

Question 5

This type of media is completely controlled by the government.

Answer 5

State Media

Question 6

Contentment (satisfaction with the way things currently are,) apathy (lack of interest or caring,) and alienation (feeling like a vote won’t make any difference.)

Answer 6

Causes of nonparticipation in voting

Question 7

When groups don’t gain new members because the rewards of membership are available to non-group members.

Answer 7

Free rider problem

Question 8

When an interest group uses outside party to impact the decision making of government officials. For example, using constituents to lobby for a cause of the interest group.

Answer 8

Indirect technique in interest groups

Question 9

Interest groups that work for legislation to help a certain company, product or business group. This is the most common kind of interest group.

Answer 9

Economic Interest Group

Question 10

A type of media bias that occurs when a news organization uses critical terms in relation to certain groups.

Answer 10

Bias by Labeling

Question 11

Forms of participation that are alternative to conventional actions, usually used when conventional methods aren’t effective. This could include things like protests and boycotts.

Answer 11

Unconventional political participation

Question 12

Rules set up by the FCC that forbid the broadcast of obscene and indecent programming as well as profanity during certain times of day.

Answer 12

Public Decency Standards

Question 13

A journalist to goes through the process of digging into instances of political corruption and injustice.

Answer 13

Muckraker

Question 14

Most citizens of the U.S. believe the government supports this by creating a level playing field for everyone to compete on.

Answer 14

Views of the American Political System: Equality

Question 15

This act was created in 1934. It set up the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Answer 15

Federal Communications Act

Question 16

The kind of media bias that occurs if an organization presents a story based on one single interpretation, when other interpretations may be equally valid.

Answer 16

Bias by Spin

Question 17

Standard, customary forms of participation in the political process, such as voting, making campaign donations, or serving in political office.

Answer 17

Conventional political participation

Question 18

A way for polling organizations to account for inevitable inaccuracies and errors in the process

Answer 18

Margin of error

Question 19

A theory stating that power in politics is distributed among various groups, and that while those groups acknowledge the interests of others, each group pursues its own interests

Answer 19

Pluralist theory

Question 20

In reference to America, this means that the nation made up of diverse groups of people, sometimes called a ‘melting pot.’

Answer 20

Multiculturalism

Question 21

A kind of journalism that focused on attracting readers through exaggeration and distortion of the truth.

Answer 21

Yellow Journalism

Question 22

The process of establishing political opinions and values, which can last an entire lifetime

Answer 22

Political socialization

Question 23

The media demonstrates this type of bias when it reports only information that fits in with its point of view.

Answer 23

Bias by Story Selection

Question 24

We see this type of media bias in organizations that place stories that support their point of view in a position of prominence, while hiding stories that don’t match their beliefs.

Answer 24

Bias by Placement

Question 25

Specific situations and policies that prevent a certain group from voting. This may include challenges registering, voting on a weekday or getting in an absentee vote.

Answer 25

Institutional Barriers to Voting

Question 26

A sample that matches the population at large in its traits

Answer 26

Representative sample

Question 27

This type of interest group is concerned with supporting the greater good of the community or the nation.

Answer 27

Public Interest Group