Polling

Public Opinion

What the people think about politics and government; matters because it explains citizen behavior and policy outcomes.

Political Socialization

A process whereby political opinions are shaped by one’s parents, family, community, and culture.

Latent Opinions

Opinions that vary in intensity and may highlight minority views, influenced by factors like intense opposition or support.

Sampling Error

Predicted difference between the average opinion expressed by survey respondents and the average opinion in the population.

Push Polls

Not legitimate polls; questions are skewed to influence voter opinion rather than gather accurate information.

Social Desirability Bias

The tendency for people to answer survey questions in a way that looks favorable to others, which may not reflect their true opinions.

Policy Mood

Level of public support for expanding the government’s role in society, indicating whether public opinion favors government action.

Expected Values

Hypothetical measures to determine how many individuals meet a characteristic within a population using random sampling.

Demographics

Statistical data that describes a population's characteristics, such as age, gender, and income level.

Ideological Polarization

The sharp differences in Americans’ overall ideas of the size and scope of government, often varying by political party.