Public Opinion and Government

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

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

which of these interest groups is most likely to lobby with legislators on behalf of workers?

• AARP (American Association of Retired Persons)

• American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees

• American Heart Association

• American Medical Association

what is the name of an interest group that tries to influence the government to take actions that will benefit large numbers of people

• economic group

• issues group

• public-interest group

• rights group

What activity does an interest group most likely use to gain more members?

• bring suits in court

• influence public opinion

• lobby government officials

• take part in electives

which of the following is a personal-background factor that will influence opinions about public issues?

• mass media

• interest groups

• government officials

• occupation

what is one way that lobbyists influence government?

• preparing their own drafts of bills

• recruiting volunteers through direct mail

• selling political advertisements

• staging public protests

what is the goal of lobbying?

• to get favored candidates elected to office

• to influence government policy

• to make a group's views known

• to provide a watchdog over government officials

which is an example of electronic media?

• a book written by a TV news commentator

• a newspaper column about radio newscasts

• a magazine article analyzing news coverage

• a website that focuses on publishing

interest groups can influence government by

• lobbying officials

• passing new laws

• ruling in courts

• running candidates