AP GOV VOCAB UNIT 1

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

covert content

ideologically slanted information presented as unbiased information in order 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

favorability poll

a public opinion poll that measures a public's positive feelings about a candidate or politician

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 total population of citizens

Modern Conservatism

a political ideology that prioritizes individual liberties, preferring a smaller government that stays out of the economy

Modern Liberalism

a political ideology focused on equality and supporting government intervention in society and the economy if it promotes equality

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 of individuals 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 in such a way that each has an equal chance of being chosen

representative sample

a group of respondents demographically similar to the population of interest

straw poll

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