Public Opinion and Political Participation

Public Opinion

The collective attitudes and beliefs of individuals on political issues.

Factors Influencing Public Opinion

Include media, family, education, religion, group identity, and political ideology.

Political Socialization

The process through which individuals acquire their political beliefs and values, often starting in childhood and shaped by family, education, peers, media, and major events.

Group Identity

Shared characteristics (race, religion, gender, etc.) that influence political opinions through common experiences and interests.

Public's Influence on Government

Through voting, protests, polls, and other participation, the public pressures the government.

Measuring Public Opinion

Through surveys and polls using representative samples of the population.

Trustworthy Polls Factors

Include: Large sample size, low margin of error, unbiased wording, random sampling, and proper methodology.

Sampling

The process of selecting a subset of individuals from a population to estimate opinions of the whole.

Random Sampling

Everyone has an equal chance of being selected.

Political Attitude

A person's specific views on issues, policies, and politicians.

Gender Gap

Differences in political views and voting behavior between men and women.

Straw Poll

An unofficial, informal poll that doesn't use scientific sampling.

Party Identification

An individual's psychological attachment to a political party.

Political Ideology

A consistent set of beliefs about politics and the role of government.

Sample

The group of individuals selected to represent the population in a poll.

Honeymoon Period

The early time in a presidency when approval ratings are high.

Margin of Error

A measure of how much the results of a poll could differ from the actual opinion of the population.

Rally-Around-the-Flag Effect

Surge in public support for leaders during national crises.

Issue Publics

Groups of people who are especially interested in and informed about specific political issues.

Cognitive Shortcut

Mental strategies (like using party cues) to make quick political decisions.

Attitudes

Enduring predispositions toward people, groups, or issues.

Framing

How issues are presented; influences perception (e.g., 'tax relief' vs. 'tax cuts').

Political Participation

Any activity that involves taking part in the political process.

Campaign Contribution vs. Bribe

Contribution: Legal, disclosed, voluntary support. Bribe: Illegal, intended to influence actions directly.

Institutional Barriers

Voter ID laws, registration deadlines, felony disenfranchisement.

Conventional Participation

Voting, donating, contacting reps.

Unconventional Participation

Protests, sit-ins, civil disobedience.

Socioeconomic Status (SES)

Higher SES = more participation due to resources and education.

Franchise

The right to vote.

Single-Issue Voters

Vote based on one key issue, regardless of other factors.

Negative Campaigning

Attacking opponents rather than promoting one's own ideas.

Microtargeting

Using data to tailor messages to specific voter segments.

Political Campaign

Organized effort to influence election outcomes.

Political Parties

Organizations that seek to gain power by electing members to public office.

Party in the Electorate

Voters.

Party Organization

Officials and staff.

Party in Government

Elected officials.

Dominant U.S. Parties

Democrats and Republicans. Origins: Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans; evolved over time.

Two-Party System Pros/Cons

Stability, simplicity; limits choice, marginalizes third parties.

Third Parties

Influence debate, raise issues. Rarely win due to Duverger's Law (single-member districts).

Polarization

Growing ideological distance between parties. Increasing in recent years.

Critical Elections

Mark shifts in party coalitions and voter bases (e.g., 1932, 1968).

Referendum

Voters approve/reject laws.

Initiative

Citizens propose laws.

Recall

Remove elected officials.

Party Platform

Formal statement of party's policies and goals.

Duverger's Law

Single-winner elections encourage two-party dominance.

Political Machine

Party organization that controls votes and government jobs.

Patronage

Giving jobs/contracts for political support.

Insider Tactics

Lobbying officials, providing info, testifying.

Outsider Tactics

Mobilizing public opinion, protests, media.

Public Interest Group

Advocates for issues benefiting society (e.g., environmental groups).

Media-Gov-Public Relationship

Media informs the public and holds government accountable; public shapes media demand.

Media's Role

Agenda setting, informing, watchdog, framing.

Market Forces

Profit motive leads to sensationalism, polarization, or infotainment.

Viewership Trends

Older people watch cable; younger use online sources or avoid news.

Media Business Model

Ad revenue shapes content; click-driven stories dominate.

Media Regulation

FCC enforces rules; First Amendment protects press freedom.

U.S. Media vs. Others

More private ownership, less public broadcasting.

Agenda Setting

Media decides what to cover (what to think about).

Priming

Affects what people consider when making judgments (e.g., emphasizing crime before elections).

Framing

How media shapes meaning of issues (e.g., 'war on terror').

Yellow Journalism

Sensational, often exaggerated news for profit.

Muckraking

Investigative journalism exposing corruption.

Watergate Effect

Increased media skepticism of government.

Other Biases

Story selection, visual emphasis, headline placement.

Persuasion Factors

Source: Credible? Message: Clear, emotional? Audience: Open-minded?

Politicians' Tools

Social media, press releases, direct outreach.

Types of Media

TV, Radio, Print: Traditional; New Media: Online, social; Infotainment: News + entertainment (e.g., talk shows).

Selective Exposure

Tendency to consume media aligning with beliefs.

Market-Driven Journalism

Content shaped by audience interest over civic duty.

The Hamster Wheel

News cycle that prioritizes speed over depth.