Topic 9: Public Opinion

The sum of many individual opinions, beliefs, or attitudes about a public person or issue.

• Political socialization

• Margin of error

• Mass media

• Public opinion

A method of measuring public opinion. This is done by asking questions of a random sample of people and using their answers to represent views of the broader population.

• Opinion poll

• Margin of error

• Public opinion

• Exit poll

The ability of the media to make issues a public priority and get them on the public agenda.

• Opinion journalism

• Trial balloon

• Media bias

• Agenda-Setting

one way interest groups learn about public opinion?

• asking government officials

• conducting polls

• educating voters

• influencing voters

Why is the United States refereed to as the Melting Pot?

• The mast majority of the population has roots from another country
• People love food here
• We have the biggest and best pots
• It is so hot that cheese melts on sidewalks

What happens politically as we get older?

• Our political beliefs become more firm
• Our political beliefs become less firm
• We become more open to new ideas
• We participate less in politics

The ideas and attitudes that a significant number of Americans hold about government and political issues?

• Public Opinion

• Random Sampling

• political efficacy

• mass media

A Person's belief that he or she can have an impact on government and policy?

• political efficacy

• political socialization

• mass media

• public interest groups

Public interest groups can help?

• Change government structure

• shape public policy

• solve most political problems

• weaken the democratic process

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