Political Socialization and Ideologies

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to political socialization and various political ideologies, helping students prepare for their exam.

Agent of political socialization

A person or entity that teaches and influences others about politics through use of information.

Bandwagon effect

Increased media coverage of candidates who poll high.

Bradley effect

The difference between a poll result and an election result in which voters gave a socially desirable poll response rather than a true response that might be perceived as racist.

Classical liberalism

A political ideology based on belief in individual liberties and rights, with little role for government.

Communism

A political and economic system where government promotes common ownership of all property and means of production, intended to create an equal society.

Covert content

Ideologically slanted information presented as unbiased to influence public opinion.

Diffuse support

The widespread belief that a country and its legal system are legitimate.

Exit poll

An election poll taken by interviewing voters as they leave a polling place.

Fascism

A political system of total control by the ruling party or political leader over various aspects of society.

Favorability poll

A public opinion poll measuring a public’s positive feelings about a candidate or politician.

Heuristics

Shortcuts or generalizations for decision making.

Horserace coverage

Day-to-day media coverage of candidate performance in the election.

Leading question

A question worded to lead a respondent to give a desired answer.

Margin of error

A number that states how far the poll results may be from the actual preferences of the population.

Modern conservatism

A political ideology prioritizing individual liberties, preferring smaller government.

Modern liberalism

A political ideology focused on equality and government intervention in society and the economy.

Overt content

Political information whose author makes clear that only one side is presented.

Political culture

The prevailing political attitudes and beliefs within a society or region.

Political elite

A political opinion leader who alerts the public to changes or problems.

Political socialization

The process of learning the norms and practices of a political system through others and societal institutions.

Public opinion

A collection of opinions of an individual or a group on a topic, person, or event.

Push poll

Politically biased campaign information presented as a poll in order to change minds.

Random sample

A limited number of people from the overall population selected so that each has an equal chance of being chosen.

Representative sample

A group of respondents demographically similar to the population of interest.

Socialism

A political and economic system where government promotes social and economic equality.

Straw poll

An informal and unofficial election poll conducted with a non-random population.

Theory of delegate representation

A theory that assumes politicians vote only as the people want.

Traditional conservatism

A political ideology supporting the authority of the monarchy and church.