AP Gov- Public Opinion

20 key terms

public opinion

the distribution of individual preferences for a given issue, candidate, or institution within a specific population

focus group

a small group of individuals who are led in discussion by a consultant in order to gather opinions on and responses to candidates and issues

scientific poll

define population, make sample, construct unbiased questions, conduct poll, and analyse and report data

sample

a subset of the population

random selection

procedure that ensures every person in a population has an equal chance of being chosen to participate

representative sample

a sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the population as a whole

sampling error

the level of confidence in the findings of a public opinion poll

exit poll

public opinion surveys used by major media pollsters to predict electoral winners with speed and precision

benchmark poll

a survey taken at the beginning of a political campaign in order to gauge support for a candidate and determine which issues are important to voters

tracking poll

continuous surveys that enable a campaign to chart its daily rise or fall in support

random digit dialing

the use of telephone numbers randomly generated by computer to select potential survey respondents

gender gap

a distinctive pattern of voting behaviour reflecting the differences in views between women and men

political socialisation

the process through which individuals acquire their political beliefs and values

agent of political socialisation

any individual or group that influences an individual's development of political beliefs and values

generational effect

the impact of historical events experienced by a generation upon their political views

life-cycle effect

the impact of a person's age and stage in life on his or her political views

political ideology

the coherent set of values and beliefs about the purpose and scope of government held by groups and individuals

approval ratings

the percentage of respondents to an opinion poll who express approval of a subject, typically a political figure, institution, or policy

push polls

polls that are designed to manipulate the opinions of those being polled

question wording

the way in which survey questions are phrased, which influences how respondents answer them