Unit 4 (Polls/Socialization)

political socialization

The process by which we develop our political attitudes, values, and beliefs.

agents of socialization

the individuals, organizations, and institutions that facilitate the acquisition of political views

Socialization agents in strongest order

Family, media, schools, religious institutions, peers, political and community leaders. Remember parents are the strongest, what they believe is what their kids believe.

Which ethnic group is the most politically engaged

African American youth are the most likely to vote, belong to political groups, make political contributions, display buttons or signs canvass voters, and contact the media about issues.

Which ethnic group is more likely to be involved in their communities?

Asian Americans are more likely to have been active in their communities; they are more apt to work to solve community problems, volunteer, engage in boycotts, sign petitions, and raise charitable contributions.

Which ethnic group is least likely to be active in politics or their communities?

Young Latinos are less active in politics or communities, but more likely to have engaged in political protest.

which ethnic group is moderately likely to engage in community or political activities?

young whites are moderately likely to engage in community or political activities. they are the least likely to protest, contribute money to a political cause, and least likely to to persuade others to vote.

gender gap

the measurable difference in the way men and women vote for candidates and in the way they view political issues.

Which Geographic Regions vote Republican?

the South, the West, and most of the Midwest (except for large cities in these areas)

Which geographic regions vote Democratic?

the Northeast, on the West Coast, and in most major cities.

generational effect

the impact of an important external event in shaping the views of a generation; example: The Great Depression, WWII, and Vietnam War.

public opinion

the public's expressed views about an issue at a specific point in time.

public opinion poll

a survey of a given population's opinion on an issue or a candidate at a particular point in time.

straw poll

a poll conducted in an unscientific manner, used to predict election outcomes.

population

in a poll, the group of people whose opinions are of interest and/or about whom information is desired.

random sampling

a scientific method of selection in which each member of the population has an equal chance of being included in the sample.

George Gallup

Gallup Poll; correctly predicted the outcome of the 1936 election.

quota sampling

a method by which pollsters structure a sample so that it is representative of the characteristics of the target population.

stratified sampling

a process of random sampling in which the national population is divided into fourths and certain areas within these regions are selected as representative of the national population.

sampling error

also called margin of error, a statistical calculation of the difference in results between a poll of a randomly drawn sample and a poll of the entire population.

tracking polls

polls that measure changes in public opinion over the course of days, weeks, or months by repeatedly asking respondents the same questions and measuring changes in their responses.

push polls

a special type of poll that both attempts to skew public opinion about a candidate and provides information to campaigns about candidate strengths and weaknesses.

exit polls

polls conducted at polling places on Election Day to project the winner of an election before polls close.