Chapter 8 Public Opinion

Which of the following is the earliest and one of the most significant agents in the political socialization process?

• family

• place of residence

• group affiliation

• gender

Which of the following is NOT a shortcoming of current scientific polls?

• They have difficulty measuring the relevance of opinions to the people who hold them.

• They cannot accurately measure the intensity of opinions.

• They have difficulty measuring the stability of opinions.

• They cannot accurately measure political preferences.

Polls are taken to

• guarantee the constitutional rights of all people.

• determine people's attitudes and viewpoints.

• further the political socialization of individuals.

• provide a system of checks and balances.

The impact of the mass media on the public agenda can best be described as its ability to

• tell people whom to vote for.

• focus the public's attention on specific issues.

• tell people what opinions to have about those issues.

• focus the public's attention on how to vote.

Which of the following does NOT limit the influence of the mass media on public opinion?

• Only a small part of the public pays attention to politics.

• Voters tend to pay attention to sources with which they disagree.

• Most television programs have little to do with public affairs.

• Voters tend to pay attention to sources with which they agree.

Attitudes held by a significant number of people concerning governmental and political questions are known as

• the mass media.

• interest groups.

• public opinion.

• public policies.

"Universe" is a term used to describe

• a politician's constituency.

• the entire group of persons sampled in a given poll.

• the entire group of persons whose opinions a poll seeks to measure.

• the group that supports the activities of an interest group.

Public opinion is made known through all of the following EXCEPT

• interest groups.

• personal contacts.

• the media.

• peer groups.

What would be your BEST advice to a person who wants to learn more about political issues?

• Watch only television news and commentary shows daily.

• Pay attention only to newspaper stories.

• Explore a variety of sources of political information.

• Regularly read the major newspapers and news magazines.

All of the following have a major influence on the opinion-making process EXCEPT

• religious leaders.

• peer groups.

• historic events.

• interest groups.