Chapter 12, Lessons 1 & 2: Forming Public Opinion/Mass Media

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

• to determine election results

• to guide the actions of public officials

• to reflect political leaders' ideas

• to shape the views of media members

Which word BEST describes public opinion at most times in the United States?

• diverse

• unchanging

• united

• unmeasurable

An issue gaining in importance as a result of television news coverage is an example of what influence on public opinion?

• gender

• income

• interest groups

• mass media

Why are public officials most likely to be influenced by public opinion high in intensity?

• More people share the opinion.

• The opinion is negative.

• The opinion is strongly held.

• They react most to long-held opinions.

Which is true of a good random sample for a public opinion poll?

• All the people in the sample are opinionated.

• It excludes people who do not belong to a political party.

• It is limited to people who follow the news.

• It represents the variety of the whole population.

The specialist who conducts scientific public opinion research is called a _____.

• census taker.

• pollster.

• lobbyist.

• pole vaulter.

Gender, income, occupation, race, and religion are all examples of ___, one of the factors that influence an individual's opinion on public issues

• mass media

• interest groups

• personal background

• lobbyists

A public opinion poll that uses loaded language in questions to try to guide the respondents' answers is called a ___.

• intensity survey

• directional poll

• pull poll

• push poll

the feature of public opinion that tells officials whether most people are for or against an idea is called ___.

• stability

• intensity

• direction

• public agenda

The ___ - which includes television, newspapers, magazines, radio, and internet - can all shape public opinion on an issue.

• interest groups

• mass media

• personal background