public opinion
citizens' attitudes about political issues, leaders, institutions, and events. (page 205
values or beliefs
basic principles that shape a person's opinions about political issues and events. (page 205
political ideology
a cohesive set of beliefs that forms a general philosophy about the role of government. (page 205
attitude or opinion
a specific preference on a particular issue. (page 205
liberty
freedom from governmental control. (page 206
equality of opportunity
a widely shared American ideal that all people should have the freedom to use whatever talents and wealth they have to reach their fullest potential. (page 207
democracy
a system of rule that permits citizens to play a significant part in the governmental process, usually through the election of key public officials. (page 207
political socialization
the induction of individuals into the political culture; learning the underlying beliefs and values on which the political system is based. (page 208
agents of socialization
social institutions, including families and schools, that help to shape individuals' basic political beliefs and values. (page 209
gender gap
a distinctive pattern of voting behavior reflecting the differences in views between women and men. (page 210
libertarianism
a political ideology that emphasizes freedom and voluntary association with small government. (page 216
socialism
a political ideology that emphasizes social ownership or collective government ownership and strong government. (page 216
liberal
today this term refers to those who generally support social and political reform; extensive governmental intervention in the economy; the expansion of federal social services; more vigorous efforts on behalf of the poor, minorities, and women; and greate
conservative
today this term refers to those who generally support the social and economic status quo and are suspicious of efforts to introduce new political formulae and economic arrangements. Conservatives believe that a large and powerful government poses a threat
marketplace of ideas
the public forum in which beliefs and ideas are exchanged and compete. (page 224
public-opinion polls
scientific instruments for measuring public opinion. (page 228
sample
a small group selected by researchers to represent the most important characteristics of an entire population. (page 228
probability sampling
a method used by pollsters to select a representative sample in which every individual in the population has an equal probability of being selected as a respondent. (page 230
random digit dialing
a polling method in which respondents are selected at random from a list of ten-digit telephone numbers, with every effort made to avoid bias in the construction of the sample. (page 230
sampling error or margin of error
polling error that arises based on the small size of the sample. (page 230
social desirability effect
the effect that results when respondents in a survey report what they expect the interviewer wishes to hear rather than what they believe. (page 237
selection bias /surveys
polling error that arises when the sample is not representative of the population being studied, which creates errors in overrepresenting or underrepresenting some opinions. (page 239
push polling
a polling technique in which the questions are designed to shape the respondent's opinion. (page 240
bandwagon effect
a shift in electoral support to the candidate whom public opinion polls report as the front-runner. (page 241
median voter theorem
a proposition predicting that when policy options can be arrayed along a single dimension, majority rule will pick the policy most preferred by the voter whose ideal policy is to the left of half of the voters and to the right of exactly half of the voter
Public opinion is the term used to denote
citizens' attitudes about political issues, leaders, institutions, and events.
Values (or beliefs) are a person's
basic orientation to politics.
Political ideology refers to
a complex set of beliefs and values that, as a whole, form a general philosophy about government.
Often for reasons associated with demographics, Americans' opinions
differ widely on a variety of issues.
The processes that form political beliefs and values are collectively called
political socialization.
Social institutions,
including families and schools, help to shape an individual's basic political beliefs and values.
Many Americans describe themselves as either ______ or_________in political orientation.
iberal or conservative
Conditions under which individuals and groups are recruited into political life help to shape _______ _________
political orientations.
Membership in both ______and _____________ can affect an individual's political values.
voluntary social groups
involuntary
Consider the influence of personal experience, group leaders, and political interests in the context of a social group.
...
Most people acquire their initial orientation to politics from _____ _______
their families.
Although ideologies shape political opinions on particular issues, they seldom fully determine
one's views.
Political opinions are influenced by an individual's
underlying values, his/her knowledge of political issues, and external forces such as government, private groups, and the media.
Politicians and public officials make extensive use of _____ ______ ______ to help them make decisions.
public-opinion polls
In order to construct public opinion from surveys, the polling sample must be ________, and the views of those included in the sample must ________ and ____________ reflect the views of the whole.
large,
accurately and proportionately reflect the views of the whole.
_____ ________ can be used to shape the opinion of the person responding to the poll.
Push polling
Government policies in the United States are generally consistent with __________ There are, however, always some _____________.
popular preferences.
inconsistencies
The American system of government is not designed to quickly _____
transform changes in opinion into changes in government programs.