Unit 3 guided notes (Public Opinion) Flashcards
Opinions- A view or _____ formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge
Judgement
Public Policy- Our government is supposed to protect the public and _____ us by looking out for our best interests, wishes, and needs.
represent
Public Policy- In order for the government to effectively address an _____, solve a problem, or meet the needs and wishes of the citizens they must implement Public policies
issue
Public Policy: Laws that affect the _____
people
Different Ideologies- Many individuals have very _____ opinions about a multitude of political topics.
different
Different Ideologies- Each person’s full set of opinions on these _____ make up their specific “political ideology”
topics
Different Ideologies - A set of basic _____ about life, culture, government, and society
beliefs
Different Ideologies - There are 2 general ideologies that exist in American politics today. ______ and Conservative
Liberal
Different Ideologies- An _____ is NOT the same thing
ideology
Different Ideologies- To help _____ these two terms, you must understand the appropriate relationship between them. If you utilize them in this way, it will be easy yo keep them separated.
distinguish
Different Ideologies-(Political Party)- a group of ____ who seek to win elections, so they can create and enforce the public policies that favor their party’s ideology (set of beliefs)
people
Different Ideologies (Liberal)- Role of government should be _____ in society and heavily involved in your daily life
active
Different Ideologies(Conservative)- Role of government in society should be very ______.
limited
Different Ideologies- ______ opportunities should be promoted by the government
Economic
Different Ideologies- The rhetoric used to justify this is that, as a nation, we are stronger ______
together
Different Ideologies(conservative)- _____ enterprise and initiative should be encouraged
Free
Different Ideologies(conservative)- tax _____, spend less approach
less
Different Ideologies(conservative)- The rhetoric used to justify this is that less government involvement will _______ people to work harder as individuals, which will result in a stronger nation
incentivize
Participants in the Public Policy Process(Elected officials)- The politicians that people select to _____ them when creating and enforcing public policy
represent
Participants in the Public Policy Process(Elected Officials)– _____ level (President, Congress)
National
Participants in the Public Policy Process(Elected Officials)– State _____( Governor, General Assembly)
level
Participants in the Public Policy(Interest Groups) - An organization whose _____ share common concerns and try to influence government policies affecting those concerns.
members
Participants In the Public Process(interest groups)- They wish to encourage or prevent changes to public policies _____ trying to be elected
without
Participants in the Public Policy (Interest Groups) - They are key to forming and measuring ______
opinion
Participants in the Public Policy (Interest Groups) - The ____ an interest group becomes (more members it gains), the more power it will attain in regards to influencing public opinion and policy
larger
Participants in the Public Policy (Interest Groups) - Strength, legitimacy, and credibility are established which can install ____ in the rest of the public to join.
confidence
Participants in the Public Policy (Interest Groups) - In addition to receiving ____ from their many members in an election, they can also potentially receive tons of money to fund their campaigns to get elected
votes
Participants in the Public Policy (Interest Groups) - _____ will recognize larger interest groups and aspire to become a advocate for the issue those groups are concerned
Politicians
Participants in the Public Policy (Interest Groups) - Big Businesses and _____ are also known for donating to certain political parties who in turn use their money fund a campaign
corporations
Participants in the Public Policy (How Individuals can shape Public Policy) - Attending political and governmental _____
meetings
Participants in the Public Policy (Lobbyists) - Lobbying: activities that seek to ______ a politician or public official for or against a specific cause or issue
influence
Participants in the Public Policy (Interest Groups) - Interest Groups can use membership ____ and other large contributions (from individuals, businesses, corporations)
dues
The formation of Public Opinion- Public Opinion is a concept both widely used and ______ because it doesn’t refer to an opinion shared by All americans
misunderstood
Participants in the Public Policy (How Individuals can shape Public Policy) - Contributing _____ to candidates and funding causes
money
Participants in the Public Policy (How Individuals can shape Public Policy) - Filing ____ challenges
legal
Participants in the Public Policy (How Individuals can shape Public Policy) - _____, Running for office
Demonstrating
The formation of Public Opinion (Public Opinion) - Attitudes and ____ held by a significant number of persons on matters of government or politics
views
The formation of Public Opinion (Public Opinion) - There is no one public, but many “______” (groups of people
publics
The formation of Public Opinion (Public Opinion) - Leaders must consider these publics when creating ______
policy
The formation of Public Opinion (Public Opinion) - In a ______, people must believe that their opinions count and leaders can be trusted to act responsibly
democracy
The formation of Public Opinion (Public Opinion) - Politicians understand that public support is: a source of ______ and power & an aid in knowing what issues concern the population
legitimacy
The formation of Public Opinion (Consensus) - Consensus: ample public majority _____ on a particular issue
agrees
The formation of Public Opinion (Consensus) Ex: Strong Military, Low _____, protection of civil liberties
taxes
The formation of Public Opinion (Polarization) - Polarization is a public opinion that is seriously _____
divided
The formation of Public Opinion(Polarization) - Ex: Abortion, Healthcare, ___ control
Gun
Individuals acquire their public opinion in several ways( Family) - _____ identification or partisan identification is often passed on to kids
Party
Individuals acquire their public opinion in several ways( Family)- Family: Political Socialization begins here as _____ learn attitudes towards authority, property, and rules.
children
Individuals acquire their public opinion in several ways( Family) - Political Socialization is a ____ long process
life
Individuals acquire their public opinion in several ways( Family) - Adult political behavior is firmly based on attitudes and _____ developed in early childhood
behaviors
Individuals acquire their public opinion in several ways( Family) - Attitudes towards office of ____ are passed on to kids
president
Individuals acquire their public opinion in several ways( Schools) - Schools provide the _____ needed to be a good citizen
knowledge
Individuals acquire their public opinion in several ways( Schools) - Ex: Civics/ ____ classes, Patriotic messages, Pledge of allegiance, higher levels of education
Government
Individuals acquire their public opinion in several ways( Schools) - ____ levels of education
higher
Individuals acquire their public opinion in several ways( Schools) - Interest in politics evolves as they gain ____
independence
Individuals acquire their public opinion in several ways( Schools) - many students begin voting for the ____ time
first
Individuals acquire their public opinion in several ways( Schools) - Schools are also centers for informal learning about other people and ____
groups
Individuals acquire their public opinion in several ways( Schools) - Ex: Peer groups & ___
friends
The formation of Public Opinion(Opinion Leaders) People with a limited degree of political awareness will look to opinion ____
leaders
The formation of Public Opinion(Mass Media) - Has a ___ influence on Public Opinion
large
The formation of Public Opinion(Mass media) - Ex: _____,radio,films,books,newspapers,internet
television
The formation of Public Opinion(Opinion Leaders)- Ex: Politicians, Members of the press,____, professionals,friends, relatives, etc
teachers
The formation of Public Opinion(Generational Events) Major ____ can permanently shape attitudes on certain shapes
events
The formation of Public Opinion(Generational Events) - Ex: Great depression, WWII, ____
9/11
The formation of Public Opinion(Other factors) - Race,ethnicity,____, occupation, age,religion, region,gender
income
The formation of Public Opinion(Mix of Factors) - Not one ___ factor by itself shapes a person’s political opinions
single
The formation of Public Opinion(Mix of factors) - Often the factors that are most important vary ___ on the issue being determine
based
The formation of Public Opinion(Mix of Factors)- Family and Education are the ____ influential
most
The formation of Public Opinion(Family and other group affiliations) Members of the same ____ or circle of friends vote alike
family
The formation of Public Opinion(Family and Other group affiliations) - Members of the same family tend to vote alike because they ____ things
share
Individuals acquire their public opinion in several ways( Opinion Leaders) - Opinion Leaders: People that have an unusual amount of ______ on the attitudes of others
influence
The formation of Public Opinion(Mix of Factors)- Ex: Religious,______, and social experiences
economic
The measurement of Public Opinion(Methods of Measuring Public Opinion) - Elections- ____ are at best only indicative of the vague,general direction of the public opinion
elections
The measurement of Public Opinion(Methods of Measuring Public Opinion)- Interest Groups: Interest ____ make public opinion known to political leaders
Groups
The measurement of Public Opinion(Methods of Measuring Public Opinion) - ___ support for interest groups is difficult to gauge
Public
The measurement of Public Opinion(Methods of Measuring Public Opinion)- Media-Contrary to what is often said media does ___ provide an accurate measure of public opinion
Not
The measurement of Public Opinion(Personal Contact)- Personal Contact- Public _____ stay in contact with many people
officials
The measurement of Public Opinion(Constituents- ____ of a political district. These contacts are not necessarily accurate in help them gauge public opinion
Members
The measurement of Public Opinion(Methods of Measuring Public Opinion)- Polls- Early history of _____ was married by failures to obtain samples that were scientifically valid,
polls
The measurement of Public Opinion(Polls)- Even modern polls can contain flaws. Polls are the ___ method for measuring public opinion
best
The measurement of Public Opinion(Polls) - Public opinion polls have been used for more than 100 years. ____ since the 1930s
Reliable
The measurement of Public Opinion(Straw Poll)- Early on ___ would solicit opinions from readers(straw poll) fave to face or via mail
magazines
The measurement of Public Opinion(Straw Poll)- These early polls ____ on large numbers rather than a microcosm(true cross-section of the population)
relied
The measurement of Public Opinion(Straw Poll)- Not scientifically ____
accurate
The measurement of Public Opinion(Readers Digest Mistakes in 1936)- Polled readers on predicting _____ of presidential election
outcome
The measurement of Public Opinion(Readers Digest Mistakes in 1936)-Predicted Alfred Landon would _____ incumbent FDR
defeat
The measurement of Public Opinion(Readers Digest Mistakes in 1936)- Mistake was they they contacted ____ readers during the depression
wealthy
The measurement of Public Opinion(Readers Digest Mistakes in 1936) ____ ends up winning the election with 62% of the votes
FDR
Scientific Poll- In the 1930s scientific ____ grew in importance
polling
Scientific Poll- have become increasingly ____
sophisticated
Polling Process- for a scientific poll, _____ must
pollsters
Polling Process- ____ is to be surveyed
define
Polling Process- To receive accurate perception of Americas ____ opinion, all of the factors that influence public opinion must be taken into consideration
true
Polling Process- ____,occupation
Income
Polling Process- Race,____, and age
ethnicity
Polling Process-____
Religion
Polling Process- Regional balance,____,affiliation,etc
party
Polling Process- Those being polled must be a microcosm(true ____ section) of the entire population
cross
Polling Process- Scientific Polling companies will use _____ date to analyze the demographic breakdown of the country to aid them in this process
census
Polling Process-If the poll is asking about who the people will ____ for,interviewing must continue up until election day
vote
Polling Process- The sample must be large enough to reflect all _____ of society
characteristics
Polling Process- Most national scientific ____ are question 1000 - 3,000 people
polls
Polling Process-Representative sample is chosen by ____ sampling
random
Polling Process- Lottery system- everyone in _____(eligible to vote)has same chance of being selected
electorate
Polling Process(Prepare Valid questions)- How a question is ___ can make a huge difference in the results
difference
Polling Process(prepare valid questions)- Do you agree with a woman’s ____ of choice in deciding whether or not to have an abortion
Freedom
Polling Process(prepare valid questions)- ___ and control means by which the poll will be taken
Select
Polling Process(prepare valid questions)- Report _____ to the public
findings
Polling Process( Evaluation of Polls)- Scientific polls are generally _____ and help focus attention on issues
reliable
Polling Process( Evaluation of Polls) - Ex:___ polls
Gallup
Polling Process( Evaluation of Polls)- If sample if large enough and truly ___, law of probability says that results are accurate within +/- 3% points(margin of error, MOE)
random
Polling Process( Problems with Polling)- Bandwagon Effect- some voters may ___ a candidate that a previous poll had already established as the leader
select
Polling Process( Problems with Polling)- Polls can’t measure the ____ of public opinion(intensity,stability,relevance)
quality
Polling Process( Problems with Polling)- Push Polls- a poll that uses”______ questions” to receive a specific response
loaded
Polling Process( Problems with Polling)- Exit polls- polls that people take ___ they vote
after
Polling Process( Problems with Polling)- Exit polls- Some voters are ____ truthful and others are ashamed or embarrassed
not
The Mass media and Politics( Mass media reports on Government’s)- ____ or inaction
actions
The Mass media and Politics( Mass media reports on Government’s)- political behavior of public ___
officials
The Mass media and Politics( Mass media reports on Government’s)- ____ that impact people lives
events
The Mass media and Politics( Mass media reports on Government’s)- unresolved social ____
problems
The Mass media and Politics( Mass media reports on Government’s)- The media plays the important role of providing people with an _____ base from which opinions can be developed
informational
The Mass media and Politics( Media’s role in politics)- Alert ____ to new developments
public
The Mass media and Politics( Media’s role in politics)- shaping public ___
agenda
The Mass media and Politics( Media’s role in politics) ____ public opinion
Molding
The Mass media and Politics( Media’s role in politics)- Linking the public with its ____
leaders
The Mass media and Politics(an overview of the mass media)- mass media is a reflection of the cultural ___ of a nation
climate
The Mass media and Politics(an overview of the mass media)- Politicians can often get an idea form the media and ___ what public concerns may be
concerns
The Mass media and Politics(an overview of the mass media)- Recently, the mass media has grown increasingly ____
commercialized
The Mass media and Politics(an overview of the mass media)-This leaves it vulnerable for being used as a ____ tool
propaganda
The Mass media and Politics(an overview of the mass media)-Ex: ____ groups, corporations/businesses, political parties
interest
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media)- Television- Primary source of political information for most ____
americans
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media)
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media)- Became prominent in the ____, bringing television programming into the homes of millions
1950’s
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media)- There are several milestone events in which we see television and ____ integrated in American history
politics
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media)- 1952- first televised national party ____
convention
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media) -1956- _____ (IKE) pioneers political commercials
Eisenhower
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media)-____- Nixon vs.Kennedy debate is televised-importance of appearance
1960
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media)- Nixon appeared to be tired,____,unshaven,sweating
ill
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media)- Kennedy appeared youthful and _____
handsome
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media)- Radio listeners felt that ___ had won the debate
Nixon
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media) -Those that watched it on television felt that ___ won
kennedy
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media)- Politicians are now concerned with ____ appearance because of TV and internet
physical
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media)- 24-hour news channels deepen the impact of television in ___
80s
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media)- Today 98% of homes have at least one ____
televisions
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media)- 2 out of 3 Americans feel that television stories are more ____ than radio
reliable
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media)- for 90% of Americans, television is the ____ source of news
primary
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media) -Newspapers- also very j
portent for many Americans as it carries more _____ and more in depth analysis
information
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media)-radio- used to be extremely important BUT it carried more weight ____ the advent of television
before
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media)-Radio- FDR in 1930’s used power of”____ chats” on radio
fireside
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media)- radio-radios first media form to reach people ______
instantaneously
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media)- radio-____ radio has taken on some importance
Talk
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media)- radio-very _____ (bias) in nature
partisan
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media)-magazines- ____ be an important source of news and opinion
can
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media)-magazines- less ____ today
relevant
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media)- magazines- tend to be more partisan(_____)
bias
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media)-Internet-fastest growing sources of ____
information
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media)-Internet-“The _____ Media”
New
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media)- Interest- ____ of americans have access to the internet and this number is growing
90%
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media)-internet- Individuals are getting ____ in news/analysis
involved
The Mass media and Politics(The five major outlets of the mass media)- Ex: Blogs, Websites, ____ media
social
The Mass media and Politics(Limits on Media influence)- Those that follow public affairs select news that ___\ beliefs they already have
bolsters
Problems of Mass Media(Agenda Setting)- When the media chooses a particular set of stories to ____ that bolsters on ideological viewpoint
cover
Problems of Mass Media(Agenda Setting)- This is ___ because the Newshole is constrained
done
Problems of Mass Media(Agenda Setting)- Most people automatically ___ what they see MUST be what’s most important
believe
Problems of Mass Media(Agenda Setting) Aside from promoting one ____ platform,agendas are also set by media networks to attract the largest numbers of viewers
ideological
Problems of Mass Media(Agenda Setting)- More views = more ___
money
Problems of Mass Media(Agenda Setting)- Pressure to cover ____ stories
sensational
Problems of Mass Media(Agenda Setting)- If it ___ , it leads”
bleeds
Problems of Mass Media(Agenda Setting)-Ex: Public Knowledge of crime _____
rate
Problems of Mass Media(Agenda Setting)- Since 1990 murder coverage increased over _____
500%
Problems of Mass Media(Agenda Setting) Depending on which stories they decide to cover,it could sway public opinion to the left or the ____ side of the political spectrum
right
Problems of Mass Media(Agenda Setting)- MSNBC-tends to be more ____
liberal
Problems of Mass Media(Agenda Setting)- Fox News- tends to be more _____
conservative
Problems of Mass Media(Bias)- When the media covers stories in a WAY that subtly persuade the audience to have a more liberal or ___ outlook on certain political issues that face the nation
conservative
Problems of Mass Media(Bias)- Ex: ___ York Times- tends to be more Liberal
New
Problems of Mass Media(Bias)- Wall street ____- tends to be more conservative
journal
Problems of Mass Media(Bias)- if a commercial airline,_____ due to engine failure, and the engine was manufactured by GE, you will not see this story covered extensively on any NBC affiliate(General Electric->NBC)
crashes
Problems of Mass Media(Bias)- ESPN only advertising movies produced by Disney and sitcom’s airing on ____(Disney–>ABC,ESPN)
ABC
Problems of Mass Media(Bias)- Drudge report: ____
Huffington Post: ____
Conservative
Liberal
Problems of Mass Media(not accessible)- the average American doesn’t understand a lot of the political _____ used in the media
jargon
Problems of Mass Media(not accessible)- Jargon- Political ____ used in the media that is unfamiliar
language
Problems of Mass Media(Priming)- when the media accuses the public to think ____ certain issues by emphasizing them over others that are also newsworthy
about
Problems of Mass Media(Priming)-getting us to think about a particular subject while choosing not to _______ other topics of public importance
emphasize
Problems of Mass Media(Priming)- they still cover those topics to justify their _____
credibility
Mass Media and Politics(“Horse-race Coverage”)- Horse-race Coverage: This style of media coverage focuses on
on “winners” and “losers”, in regards to the candidates, popularity shown in the most recent ___, rather than the candidate’s positions on issues or public policies
polls
Mass Media and Politics(“Horse-race Coverage”)- Front- runners-> watched with more intense ____(more closely)
scrutiny
Mass Media and Politics(“Horse-race Coverage”)-Media is waiting for the candidates to commit a political “_____“(mistake) so they can expose them,taint there mistakes,and hurt their poll numbers
gaffe
Mass Media and Politics(“Horse-race Coverage”)- Ex: Howard ____, 2004
Herman Cain 2012
Dean
Mass Media and Politics(“Horse-race Coverage”)- ____ ground -> are typically given more positive coverage
Gaining
Mass Media and Politics(“Horse-race Coverage”) Gaining ground- Barack Obama, 2008
____ Romney,2012
Mitt
Mass Media and Politics(Feeding Frenzy)- ___ media coverage of a story of great interest to the public. Every network seems to cover it repeatedly and extensively to receive more views and profits.
Intense
Mass Media and Politics(Feeding Frenzy)- Causes of feeding frenzies- Advances in ____
technology
Mass Media and Politics(Feeding Frenzy)-______ pressure
competitive
Mass Media and Politics(Feeding Frenzy)-competitive pressure- Instead of 3 nightly networks, now there are ___
Each want the juiciest story
tons
Mass Media and Politics(Feeding Frenzy)-Political _____
Events
Mass Media and Politics(Feeding Frenzy)-political events- watergate
clinton _____
scandal
Mass Media and Politics(Feeding Frenzy)-Character _____
Matters
Mass Media and Politics(Feeding Frenzy)-character matters- most vote on someone who they’d like to go to a ____ with
BBQ
Mass Media and Politics(Feeding Frenzy)- ____ Public-
Nosey
Mass Media and Politics(Feeding Frenzy)- Nosey Public- ____ does this because we want to know
CNN
Mass Media and Politics(Feeding Frenzy)- Advances in technology- Easier to get cameras on something
___-hour news(CNN)
Internet
24
