Topic 3 Exam Study Guide: Political Socialization, Public Opinion, Voting, Parties & Media

Flashcards testing core concepts, definitions, and institutional mechanisms from the Topic 3 Exam Study Guide.

How does the study guide define political socialization?

The process by which people acquire political opinions and orientations.

What are distinguishing characteristics of political socialization regarding its development over time?

Its cumulative nature and the specific life stage when it is most heavily developed.

Which primary agent of political socialization exerts the strongest effect?

The family.

How is ideology defined in the study guide?

A general belief about the role and purpose of government.

What is identity politics according to the study guide?

Basing concerns and political alignment on group identity.

What is social desirability bias in public opinion polling?

Giving the "correct" rather than true response.

What three factors affecting polling accuracy are specifically highlighted?

Sample size and sampling error, respondent familiarity with issues, and social desirability bias.

Which four areas do constitutional amendments address to protect and expand the right to vote?

Race, sex, poll taxes, and age.

What historical barrier to voting in Texas was ended by a key Supreme Court case?

The white primary.

What classic theoretical model is highlighted as an explanation for non-voting?

The rational-choice explanation.

What institutional role do political parties perform to connect citizens with government?

Linkage institutions.

What is the primary institutional reason for the persistence of the American two-party system?

Electoral system features.

What historical controversy led to the origin of a major modern political party?

The slavery controversy.

What factor has especially weakened political party organizational strength?

Candidate-selection reforms.

How has the nature of modern U.S. political campaigns shifted relative to party control?

Modern campaigns have become candidate-centered rather than party-centered.

What media effects are directly associated with story framing in the study guide?

Agenda-setting and priming effects.

What regulatory policy's elimination served as the trigger for the rise of partisan talk radio?

The Fairness Doctrine.

According to the economic logic of news production, news content is designed to accomplish what two objectives?

Both to inform and to fascinate.

What two classic media functions are illustrated by historical scandals and major crises?

The watchdog role and signaling / common-carrier aspects.

What are two major consequences of a high-choice media system?

Audience control and fragmentation.

How do political socialization, public opinion, and political participation interact?

$\text{Socialization} \rightarrow \text{opinion} \rightarrow \text{participation}$, with parties and media acting as intermediaries.