Public Opinion and Its Impact on Elections and Policy

The video explores the influence of public opinion on elections and policy debates, highlighting how polls affect candidate positioning and legislative decisions. It discusses the reliability of polls, citing the 2016 election as a case study, and examines biases like social desirability and non-response. The video concludes with a warning about non-scientific polls and their impact on public trust.

What is the primary learning objective discussed in the introduction of the video?

• To discuss the role of media in shaping public opinion

• To explain the quality and credibility of claims based on public opinion data

• To understand the history of public opinion

• To learn about the electoral college system

How are candidates placed on stage during primary debates according to the video?

• Alphabetically by last name

• Based on their polling numbers

• Randomly by drawing lots

• According to their political experience

What effect does the bandwagon phenomenon have on elections?

• It decreases voter turnout

• It results in more independent candidates running

• It encourages people to support candidates who are already popular

• It leads to more negative campaigning

What happens when politicians vote against a popular policy according to the video?

• They gain more support from their party

• They face potential backlash from the public

• They are more likely to win re-election

• They receive more media coverage

What was one of the major polling failures mentioned in the video?

• The 1992 presidential election

• The 2020 midterm elections

• The 2016 presidential election

• The 2000 presidential election

What is the social desirability bias in polling?

• When surveys are conducted online

• When pollsters manipulate data

• When people lie about their age

• When respondents give answers they think are socially acceptable

What is a potential reason for non-response bias in surveys?

• All respondents are from the same city

• Some groups are less likely to participate in surveys

• Surveys are conducted only on weekends

• Pollsters only ask yes/no questions

How can non-scientific polls affect public trust in polling data?

• They are always conducted by independent organizations

• They can mislead people by showing biased results

• They are often ignored by the public

• They increase the accuracy of predictions

What should one do when encountering partisan polls according to the video?

• Trust them completely

• Ignore them entirely

• Take them with a grain of salt

• Use them as the sole source of information

What is the main difference between partisan and scientifically rigorous polls?

• Partisan polls are more accurate

• Scientifically rigorous polls follow strict methodologies

• Partisan polls are conducted more frequently

• Scientifically rigorous polls are always biased