Regular Government Quiz- Public Opinion/Interest Groups

The process by which people form their political attitudes and values is called

• political correctness

• political engagement

• political participation

• political socialization

How can the company conducting an opinion poll reduce the margin of error?

• ask fewer questions

• survey a larger sample

• use mail instead of phone

• limit the survey to college graduates

How do political analysts determine the voting patterns of women and men?

• conduct exit polls

• examine the ballots

• review election results

• interview election judges

The accuracy of a poll is usually expressed in terms of

• census parameter

• population error

• sampling error

• interview error

What might be the chief problem with an opinion poll conducted on a downtown street at the noon hour?

• Polled individuals will feel a time pressure that will affect their responses

• Logistical difficulties will prevent the collection of a large-enough sample size

• It will include a disproportionate number of business employees on their lunch break

• It will include a disproportionate number of women and older adults

Which two groups have the strongest impact on political socialization in the United States?

• mass media/family
• schools/family
• income/family
• race/schools

Which of these is a role of public opinion in a democracy?

• To determine election results
• to guide and influence to actions of public officials in government.
• To reflect political leader's views
• To shape the views of media members

Which type if interest group represents the largest share of political action committees(PACs) operating in Washington?

• Labor Unions
• Consumer Unions
• Corporations
• Public Interest Groups

Which of the following statements about interest groups and lobbying is true?

• Lobbying is protected by the 4th amendment
• Lobbyist spend most of their time presuading lawmakers to change their political views
• A Capitol Hill lobbyist's most precious asset is access
• Free riders do not benefit from interest group activity

In the Federalist #10, James Madison discusses the role of factions in American politics. Which of the following best describes his viewpoint on them?

• Political parties are essential to the American political system
• Factions hurt government and have no place in the American political system
• Factions hurt government, but at the same time can not be limited because of personal liberties
• Factions, specifically interest groups, are essential to the American political system