Study Guide for Exam 3: Public Opinion and Political Participation

Flashcards covering key concepts related to public opinion, political participation, political parties, and the media.

Public Opinion

The collective attitudes and beliefs of individuals on certain issues or topics, which can be multi-dimensional.

Partisanship

A strong allegiance to a particular political party, which can influence how individuals process political information.

Political Socialization

The process by which individuals develop their political beliefs and values, influenced by family, education, and social environments.

Random Sampling

A method of selecting a subset of individuals from a larger population, where each individual has an equal chance of being chosen.

Margin of Error

A statistical expression that represents the amount of random sampling error in a survey's results.

Political Participation

Any activity that engages citizens in the democratic process, including voting, campaigning, and advocacy.

Rally-Around-the-Flag Effect

A phenomenon in which a country's population shows increased support for their government during a time of crisis.

Institutional Barriers

Obstacles that make it more difficult for certain groups to participate in the electoral process, such as voter ID laws.

Polarization

The growing ideological gap between political parties, often leading to increased conflict and division.

Franchise

The right to vote in public elections; the act of granting such a right.

Microtargeting

A data-driven marketing strategy that identifies specific groups of voters and tailors messages to them.

Agenda Setting

The media's ability to influence the significance placed on the topics of the public agenda.

Muckraking

Investigative journalism aimed at exposing corruption and scandals, particularly in politics and business.

Yellow Journalism

Sensationalist journalism that exaggerates or fabricates news stories to attract readers.

Political Ideology

A set of beliefs about the role of government and the policies it should pursue.

Voter Turnout

The percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election; indicators show varying trends among demographics.

Critical Elections

Elections that signify a major change in the political landscape or party system.

Political Campaign

Organized efforts by candidates to influence voters and win elections through various strategies and tactics.

Two-Party System

A political system dominated by two major political parties, influencing the types of candidates and policies available.

Public Opt