CIVICS - Chapter 10: Polling, Mass Media, & Special Interest

Why are polls useful?

• Polls provide the public with information that is useful during elections

• Polls provide candidates and campaigns relevant information about their performance

• Polls provide information to policy-makers about important public policy issues

• All the above

What is the purpose of polling?

• To predict political behavior by sampling public attitudes

• To help politicians in campaigns by identifying political trends

• To provide the public with information

• All the above

What socialization factor has the most influence in determining a person’s degree of political participation?

• Family

• Religion

• Education

• Peers

All of the following are examples of mass media EXCEPT

• Boones Mill Town Council meeting

• Fox News Website

• The Washington Post

• CNN News

A newspaper article written by a newspaper staff member which gives an opinion on an issue.

• op-ed

• forum

• political cartoon

• editorial

Which are the best tips on using eletronic media safely?

• set a time limit to yourself

• never do your homework while watching tv

• don't use it in your bedroom, don't eat while you're searching the net, and take a break

• pay attention to your appetite and do some exercise

What's Mass Media?

• Instruments of communication that reach large audiences with no personal contact between senders and receivers.
• Idea that mass media is merging and are no longer separate entities.
• Community in which exchange of information is the main social economic activity.
• It can be used to shop, source of information, entertainment and source of news

What was the major effect of the invention of the printing press?

• It made production of books practically inexpensive
• People could produce books easier 
• More books were available to the public

What could be considered Visual Media?

• Theater shows and Musicals
• Books
• Movies, television, videocassettes and DVDs

Which of these describes the main purpose of an interest group?

• To influence government officials on a specific issue

• To form legislative committees that study public policy

• To regulate the economy by setting federal lending rates

• To select cases for hearing in appeals courts