AP Gov Unit 4 (4.1-4.6)

Individualism

a belief in the fundamental worth and importance of the individual

political culture

set of attitudes that shape political behavior

rule of law

laws apply to all members of society

limited government

gov is kept under control by law and by separation of powers and checks and balances

political socialization

the process by which people gain their political attitudes and opinions

public opinion polls

used to gauge attitudes on issues or support for candidates in an election in a cross section of the population

benchmark polls

the first type of poll used in an election, often before a potential candidate has declared his or her intentions.

tracking polls

ask people the same or similar questions over time to 'track" the path of public opinion.

exit polls

conducted outside the polls on election day to predict the outcome of the election

approval ratings

gauged by pollsters asking whether the respondent approves, yes or no, of the president's job performance

focus group

a small group of citizens - 10 to 40 people - gathered to hold conversations about issues or candidates

representative sample

a group of people meant to represent the large group in question

random sample

a sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion

weighting or stratification

making sure demographic groups are properly represented in a sample

margin of error

a measure of the accuracy of a public opinion poll

push polling

a polling technique in which the questions are designed to shape the respondent's opinion

bandwagon effect

a shift in electoral support to the candidate whom public opinion polls report as the front-runner

social desirability bias

the tendency to respond to questions in a socially desirable manner

Bradley Effect

tendency of white voters to not express opposition to a black candidate to pollsters, in order to not appear racist

non-response bias

Bias introduced into survey results because individuals refuse to participate.

equality of opportunity

all people should have the same opportunities to compete and achieve

free enterprise

private business operates in competition and largely free of state control

straw poll

asking the same question to a large number of people: often unscientific