Public Opinion & the Media (9)

Public opinion definition

What people think about a topic

Some public opinion topics

• Presidential approval (and other political offices)

• Attitudes on bills

• Broader policy attitudes

• Political knowledge

• Political behavior

Self-interest question

How is my life doing right now?

Values question

What matters to me most in life?

Socialization question

How do the people around me think about this?

Most fundamental groups that effect socialization

Childhood friends and family that you’re close to

We tend to vote like…

those we are closest to socially

Political Party (ideology)

A functional organization that represents the collective interests of individuals

Ideology

A set of beliefs about political and cultural systems

Political identities

Distinctive characteristics or group associations that individuals carry.

Political identity can be anything, but __________________ is one of the most powerful.

political party

People ________ know that much about politics.

Don’t

Heuristics

Information shortcuts

How do people get around not knowing much about politics?

Heuristics

Common Heuristics

• Party ID

• Family

• Political elites

• Organizational statements/posts

• Influencers online

Government wants you to like their ______________

Policy ideas

Why government wants you to like their policy ideas

So they can govern longer.

They want a mandate from the people.

How private groups shape public opinion

They spend their money how they want

Conservative causes tend to have more _________

money

Liberal causes tend to have more _____________

Organization strength

In the US, the government doesn’t own or control networks, but it does…

regulate content & ownership

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

• Monitor explicit materials

• Tries to prevent monopolies

• Equal time rule

• Right to rebuttal

Equal time rule

Broadcasters must provide candidates of different parties the same amount of time on air

Right to rebuttal

If the network personally attacks someone, they get the chance to respond

Agenda-setting effect

The power of the media to focus public attention on particular issues

Priming

How engaging with a topic more (or less) can make someone think about that issue more (or less)

Framing

How the events themselves are interpreted

An important journalistic standard

To present unbiased, fair reporting

Is all media biased?

No. Just like how there are good polls, there is good media.

Tips for being a wise media consumer

• Engage with multiple outlets

• When you see a fact online, Google it to check before reposting it

Media’s effect on belief in the American Dream

Watching a rags-to-riches show increases your belief in the American Dream… even though income inequality is getting greater.

Which media content is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)?

Broadcast media, such as TV stations and radio stations

Which values do Americans almost universally agree with?

• The democracy principle

• The equal-opportunity principle

• The principle that the best government governs least

Social interactions shape our political preferences through __________, which __________________ adulthood.

socialization ; continues through

(True or False) Liberal and conservative private groups have equal access to financial resources to influence politics.

False

The ideology that most prioritizes expanding liberty above other principles and wishes to minimize government intervention in the economy and society is…

libertarianism

If a family watches television to get news, what kind of media source is it relying on?

Broadcast media

Which media sources tend to offer headline coverage, with little depth?

Broadcast television news & radio news

(True or False) In general, women vote for Republican candidates at a higher rate than do men, whereas men vote for Democratic candidates at a higher rate than do women.

False

In general, which political or ideological group is most likely to support the economic and social status quo?

Conservatives

The tendency of men’s and women’s opinions to differ in voting preferences is known as the gender gap, but the gap is also present in issues of…

war and peace

Which of the following statements about the presidents’ use of social media are accurate?

• Presidents have typically used social media in ways similar to old media

• Presidents have used social media to disseminate information

Which of the following statements about partisanship are accurate?

• People’s party identification is a strong predictor of their vote choice

• People’s party identification can influence how they process information

What results from the low levels of political knowledge among many Americans?

• Political opinion can be manipulated by political elites

• People may support policies against their own self-interest

What political preferences can be shaped through socialization?

Like all of them lol

Which of the following groups can develop political identities?

Like all of them lol

How has the internet changed the media landscape?

• Politicians can communicate directly with citizens

• Reports on news can be shared in real time

• Newspaper readership has declined

Which media source typically breaks the news through reporting?

Print media

On which of the four media platforms do the most Americans often get their news?

Online

Which racial or ethnic group is the fastest growing in the United States?

Asian American

Governments often attempt to influence citizen beliefs. In general, these attempts are ___________ due to the ______ attentiveness of the public.

unsuccessful ; low

Framing

The influence of the media over how events or issues are interpreted

Priming

The use of media coverage to make the public take a particular view of an event or a public figure

What methods have out-groups relied on to protect their rights and ensure equal protection under the laws?

• Protests

• Propaganda

• Lawsuits

How has the media landscape changed as the FCC’s regulatory powers changed in the past several decades?

Restrictions on media ownership have been relaxed.

Which sources can Americans use to learn about public affairs?

• Personal conversations

• Interest groups newsletters

• Direct contact with politicians

• News media

Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the media wrote many stories about President Bush’s performance on protecting the nation from terrorism, and did not write many stories about the economy. What two forms of media influence is this an example of?

Priming & agenda setting

What statements about public opinion are accurate?

• Public opinion includes assessments of the Democratic Party

• Public opinion includes evaluations of the president’s job in office

• Public opinion involves attitudes about whether the government should address a problem

• Survey responses can help shape political behavior

• Public opinion does NOT mean the public has a single opinion on any given matter

Who led the campaign to restrict abortion access?

Private groups. In particular, groups like National Right to Life Committee and related religious groups.

Which political actors tend to have an advantage in media coverage?

• Congressional incumbents over challengers

• The president over congressional leaders

How does self-interest influence people’s opinions?

• Politicians are typically punished when the economy performs poorly

• Voters tend to focus on how changes to tax rates affect them personally

Why do people seem to know so little about politics?

• People feel their actions won’t make a difference

• Being involved often takes money

• Learning about politics takes time

• Keeping up with politics takes effort

In general, the Supreme Court has ruled _______ prior restraint, in support of the _____ Amendment. This means that the press _____ publish what they see fit.

against ; First ; can

What is public opinion?

What people think about a topic

Origins and nature of PUBLIC and INDIVIDUAL opinion are based on 3 factor groups:

• Foundational factors

• Political Ideology

• Identity politics

Foundational Factors

• Self interest

• Values

• Socialization

Political Ideology

A set of beliefs or values about the role of government, society, and politics that guides individuals' opinions and actions.

People don’t know a lot about politics. How do you get around this?

Heuristics (information shortcuts)

Who shapes public opinion?

• The government wants you to like their policy ideas so they can govern longer

• Private groups can spend their $ how they would, and has a real effect on politics

• The media

The media as an institution

• Media regulation

• Agent-setting effect

• Priming

• Framing

Mandate

The authority granted by the public to political leaders to implement their policies, typically given through elections or strong public support.