chapter 10 exam prep vocab

Public opinion

involves citizens attitudes about political issues, personalities, institutions, and events

individual opinion

what 1 person thinks about issues, personalities, institutions, and events

aggregate opinion

the accumulation of individual beliefs as expressed in polls, votes, town meetings, and protests

preferences

shaped by economic self-interest and social/moral values

beliefs

reflect what people know and how they understand the world and the consequences of their actions

revealed preferences

the choices people make among a given set of issues and alternatives

self-interest

government policies directly affect our financial well-being, the quality of public services, and public safety

values

our philosophies about morality, justice, ethics, and social norms affect our opinions and may even contradict our economic interests

social groups

social characteristics and groups that include family, neighborhoods, language, race, and religion also have an impact on our preferences