Chap 5 gov.

Agents of socialization

Social institutions, including families and schools, that help to shape individuals’ basic political beliefs and values

Attitude (or opinion)

A specific preference on a particular issue

Bandwagon effect

A shift in electoral support to the candidate whom public-opinion polls report as the front-runner

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 to citizens’ freedom

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

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

Gender gap

A distinctive pattern of voting behavior reflecting the differences in views between women and men

Liberal

Today this term refers to those who generally support social and political reform, governmental intervention in the economy, more economic equality, the expansion of federal social services, and greater concern for consumers and the enviroment

Libertarian

Someone wo emphasizes freedom and believes in voluntary association with small government

Liberty

Freedom from government control

Marketplace of ideas

The public forum in which beliefs and ideas are exchanged and compete

Political ideology

A cohesive set of beliefs that forms a general philosophy about the role of government

Political socialization

The induction of individuals into the political culture; learning the underlying beliefs and values on which the political system is based

Public opinion

Citizens’ attitudes about political issues, leaders, institutions, and events

Public-opinion polls

Scientific instruments for measuring public opinion

Push polling

A polling technique in which the questions are designed to shape the respondent’s opinion

Random Digit dialing

A polling method in which respondents are selected at random from a list of 10-digit telephone numbers, with every effort made to avoid bias in the construction of the sample

Sample

A small group selected by researchers to represent the most important characteristics of an entire population

Sampling error (or margin of error)

Polling error that arises based on the small size of the sample

Selection Bias (surveys)

Polling error that arises when the sample is not representative of the population being studied, which creates errors in over representing or underrepresenting some opinions

Simple random sample (or probability sample)

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

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

Socialist

Someone who generally believes in social ownership, strong government, free markets, and reducing economic inequality

Values (or beliefs)

Basic principles that shape a person’s opinions about political issues and events