Vocab Unit 3: Chapter 6 & 7

Political Socialization

The lifelong process through which individuals acquire their political beliefs, values, and attitudes from agents such as family, schools, peers, and the media.

Patriotism

A sense of love, pride, devotion, and attachment to one's country, accompanied by an identification with fellow citizens.

Group Norms

The informal, shared rules and expectations that guide and regulate acceptable attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors within a social group.

Opinion Influencers

Individuals who possess credibility, prominence, or expertise that enables them to significantly sway the attitudes, beliefs, and choices of others.

Gender Gap

The measurable statistical difference between men and women in their political viewpoints, candidate preferences, and voting behavior.

Generational Effect

The long-lasting impact of major historical events and political climates experienced during youth on the enduring political outlook of an entire age cohort.

Public Opinion

The collection of individual attitudes, viewpoints, and beliefs held by a population on government, politics, and public policy.

Public Opinion Poll

A scientific survey method used to systematically measure the views and preferences of a representative sample on specific issues or political candidates.

Population (in research)

The entire defined group of people whose opinions, characteristics, or behaviors a researcher aims to study and generalize findings about.

Random Sampling

A polling selection technique where every member of the target population has an equal, known probability of being chosen, reducing selection bias.

Sampling Error

The statistical measure of inaccuracy that arises from studying a sample rather than the entire population, usually expressed as a margin of error.

Tracking Polls

Continuous, ongoing surveys that interview respondents across consecutive days to chart daily fluctuations and trends in public support over time.

Exit Polls

Surveys conducted in person with a sample of voters right after they leave their polling places on election day to project outcomes and analyze voting patterns.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

A specialized organization created to collect voluntary contributions from donors and disburse funds to political campaigns.

Social Movement

A sustained, large-scale collective effort by citizens seeking to bring about, prevent, or transform major social and political institutions.

Umbrella Organizations

Peak associations that bring together and represent numerous distinct businesses or smaller groups with shared economic or policy objectives.

Rational Choice Theory

A behavioral model assuming individuals evaluate options by calculating personal costs and benefits to maximize their own self-interest.

Lobbying

Activities directed at government officials and policymakers to advocate for specific legislation, regulations, or executive actions.

Electioneering

Direct efforts by groups to influence the outcome of elections through candidate endorsements, campaign funding, and voter turnout operations.

interest group

any formal association of individuals or organizations that shares common goals and tries to influence public policy and government decisions.

social capital

refers to the networks, relationships, shared values, and mutual trust among people that allow individuals and communities to work together effectively and achieve common goals