Chapter 6 (Inquizitive)

Public Opinion

citizens attitudes about political issues, leaders institutions, and events

Values (or beliefs)

basic principles that shape a person's opinions about political issues and events

Liberty

freedom from governmental control

Justice

fairness of how rewards and punishments are given by government, courts and by society

Equality of opportunity

All people have the freedom to use their talents and wealth they have to reach their potential

Political ideology

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

Attitude (or opinion)

a specific preference on a particular issue

Liberal

support social reform and political reform, governmental intervention, in economy, economic equality, expansion of federal social programs and environmental reforms.

Conservative

support social and economic status quo and skeptical about new political formulas. They believe a large and powerful government threatens freedom.

Libertarian

believes in freedom and voluntary association with small government

Socialist

believes in social ownership, strong government, free markets, and reduction of economic inequality

Political socialization

induction of individuals into political culture; learning the underlying beliefs and values that shaped in which the political system is based

Agents of socialization

social institutions like family and education that shape a persons political beliefs and values

Gender gap

distinctive pattern of voting behavior that differentiates men and women

Marketplace of ideas

public forum in which ideas are exchanged and compete

Public opinion polls

scientific instruments for measuring public opinion

Sample

small group of people selected by researchers to represent an entire population

Simple random sample

a method in which pollsters use to select a sample where each individuals has the same probability of being selected within the sample

Radom digit dialing

random individuals are chosen by randomly generating 10-digit telephone numbers to avoid bias in construction of sample

Sampling error/margin of error

polling error resulting from small sample size

Social desirability bias

respondents in survey answer in a way that is socially favorable that leads to overreporting socially accepting behavior and underreporting socially unacceptable behavior

Selection bias

polling bias that occurs through unrepresentative sample resulting in overrepresentation and underrepresentation

Bandwagon effect

a shift electoral support to the what public opinion polls report as front runner