Public Opinion

What is public opinion?

A collection of popular views about something, such as a person, event, or idea.

What influences public opinion?

Beliefs, values, attitudes, and elite cue taking.

What are beliefs or values in the context of public opinion?

Right or wrong perspectives held by individuals.

What are attitudes?

Deeply-held ideas about preferences that develop when values interact with the world.

What is elite cue taking?

The public adopting the talking points and views of political and media elites.

Who are considered political elites?

Political decision-makers, such as party officials, congresspeople, and the president.

What is an example of media elites influencing public opinion?

Pundits like Tucker Carlson or Joe Rogan influencing viewers.

How does partisanship affect elite cues in public opinion?

People are more likely to accept cues from elites that align with their political beliefs.

How do we measure public opinion?

Through polls or surveys at a given time.

What is a sample in public opinion polls?

A portion of the whole population that is supposed to be representative.

What can affect the accuracy of polls?

Statistical errors can lead to inaccuracies in polling results.

What is Random Digit Dialing?

A polling method using randomly generated phone numbers.

What is an Internet Poll?

A survey that uses the internet to recruit volunteers for a representative sample.

What defines a Convenience Poll?

A survey that does not attempt to find a representative sample.

What is an Exit Poll?

A survey of voters after they have cast their votes.

Who were the most popular presidents in the modern era?

Eisenhower, Kennedy, and George H.W. Bush.

Who were the least popular presidents mentioned?

Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

How does partisanship affect presidential approval ratings?

Republicans favor Republican presidents, and Democrats favor Democratic presidents.

What example illustrates the effect of political events on presidential approval ratings?

The Watergate Scandal and Nixon's subsequent resignation.

What caused the spike in George W. Bush’s approval ratings?

The 'Rally Around the Flag Effect'.

What was Joe Biden’s approval rating situation?

Mostly stable with more disapproving than approving.

What factors affected Biden’s approval ratings?

His stance on various issues and his overall image as a low-key president.

What were the average approval ratings for Trump and Biden?

Trump: 41% and Biden: 42%.

How did Biden's perceived popularity change over time?

He started more popular than Trump and ended his term with a higher rating.

What factors contributed to Biden's initial popularity?

Reuniting the country, returning to calm, and Trump's handling of COVID.

What is the public's general sentiment towards Congress?

Low average approval ratings.

How does the Supreme Court's approval ratings compare to Congress?

Higher on average, often seen as more stable.

What event may have contributed to a change in the Supreme Court's approval ratings?

The overturn of Roe v. Wade.

Why do people generally trust the Supreme Court more?

They are perceived as being above politics.

What role does political polarization play in public opinion?

It influences approval ratings and party alignment in opinions.

How do public events shape presidential approval ratings?

They can either boost or sink approval ratings based on their nature.

What was a notable political effect of the Watergate Scandal?

Nixon's resignation following investigations.

How did Eisenhower and Kennedy fare among opposite party supporters?

They had an average approval of 49% from the opposite parties.