Mass Media and Public Opinion

Flashcards covering the main topics in the lecture notes.

What is the best description of public opinion?

Attitudes held by a significant number of people on matters of government and politics.

What do public affairs include?

Politics, public issues, and the making of public policies.

According to the Founding Fathers, what were separate publics called?

Factions.

What is the process through which our opinions evolve and are shaped over time called?

Political socialization.

What is considered the main variable in the political socialization process?

The family.

What was the primary goal of public education when it was established?

To create an informed citizenry.

What does Mass Media include?

Newspapers, magazines, radio, the Internet, and television.

What are Peer Groups?

People with whom one regularly associates, including friends, family, coworkers, classmates, neighbors, etc.

Who are Opinion Leaders?

Any person who has an unusually strong influence on the views of others.

Name examples of historical events can lead to party realignments

The Great Depression, wars, 9/11, scandals, natural disasters, etc.

What is the best way to measure public opinion?

Scientific polling practices.

What is the universe in the polling process?

The whole population that the poll aims to measure.

What is a random sample in polling?

Everyone has an equal chance of being included.

What can affect the reliability of any poll?

Wording of a question.

What is the role of the media in shaping the public agenda?

By focusing attention on particular issues.

What is considered the principal source of political information since the early 1960s?

TV

Who was was the first president to use the radio effectively?

FDR

he leading way that young people learn about their government and politics?

Social Media

What does the 1st Amendment protect?

Freedom of speech and the press.

Who regulates the media?

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

What are the the three roles of the media?

Gatekeeper, Scorekeeper, Watchdog

What court case established there would be no prior restraint of censorship law in the U.S.?

New York Times v. U.S. (1971)