Chapter 6: Public Opinion and Political Socialization Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts of public opinion, political socialization, core American values, polling types, and sources of survey error from Chapter 6.

Individualism

The core political value emphasizing personal independence, self-reliance, and the belief that individuals are capable of making their own decisions and should be responsible for their own well-being.

Equality of Opportunity

The principle that all people should be given an equal chance to succeed, compete, and advance in society regardless of their background, race, gender, or socioeconomic status.

Free Enterprise

An economic system based on private ownership of capital and goods, where market competition, supply, and demand determine production, distribution, and prices with minimal government interference.

Limited Government

A foundational constitutional principle stating that government power should be restricted by law, constitutions, and checks and balances to protect individual freedoms and rights.

Rule of Law

The legal and constitutional principle that all individuals, institutions, and government leaders are accountable to the law, which must be publicly enacted and equally enforced.

Political Socialization

The lifelong developmental process through which individuals acquire their political beliefs, values, attitudes, and behaviors from primary and secondary agents.

Generational Effect

The enduring impact of major political, social, or historical events experienced during youth on the political attitudes and behaviors of that entire age cohort throughout their lives.

Life Cycle Effect

The phenomenon where an individual's political views and priorities shift predictably as they age and enter different stages of life, such as parenthood or retirement.

Public Opinion

The aggregate of individual attitudes, views, and beliefs held by a population regarding politics, public issues, government policies, and elected officials.

Consensus Opinion

A distribution of public opinion in which a large majority of the population agrees on a specific issue or policy approach.

Divisive Opinion

Public opinion that is sharply polarized into two or more conflicting viewpoints on a political issue with no broad agreement.

Nonopinion

A condition in which a significant portion of the public lacks information, interest, or an established stance on a particular policy or political issue.

Literary Digest Poll (1936)

An infamous presidential straw poll that erroneously predicted Alf Landon would defeat Franklin D. Roosevelt due to selection bias (sampling wealthy car and phone owners) and voluntary response bias.

Sampling Error

The statistical margin of error representing the difference between the results obtained from a sample and the true values that would be found if the entire population were surveyed.

Poll Questions (Framing)

The specific wording, phrasing, and sequence of questions in a public opinion survey that can intentionally or unintentionally bias responses and compromise poll legitimacy.

Push Poll

A campaign technique disguised as an objective public opinion poll designed to disseminate biased or negative information about an opponent to sway voters rather than measure real opinion.