Public Opinion in Democracy - Social Science SSLC

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the concepts, agencies, media influences, literary examples, and hindrances related to public opinion in a democracy.

Public opinion

The general opinion of the people about the issues affecting them, or the position generally held by a section of society on a particular issue.

Characteristics of public opinion

It reflects diverse opinions, creates a general consensus rather than necessarily the views of the majority, can change with circumstances, time, and new knowledge, and relates to socio-economic, cultural, and political matters.

Factors influencing public opinion

Social and cultural background of individuals, attitude, belief, preconceptions, leadership skills, and education.

Role of the family in public opinion

The primary stage where a child's socialisation begins, shaping opinion formation through traditional beliefs, perceptions, and discussions on politics, religion, beliefs, and literature.

Role of educational institutions in public opinion

Developing knowledge, rights, duties, scientific thinking, and critical thinking in children to help them form independent and rational opinions through classroom learning and school activities.

Peer groups

Groups whose members share common personality characteristics, attitudes, and behaviours, influencing one another through discussions to elicit common opinions, correct existing ones, and arrive at correct opinions.

Newspapers

Print media that brings political and social events before the public, strengthening democracy by presenting current issues to the people and communicating the public's opinion to the government.

Radio and television

Broadcasting media that serve as a mirror to social life, shaping ideas and knowledge among the illiterate community and sharing people's thoughts on government policies and programmes.

Preventive measures against fake news

Verifying the real source of messages, refraining from sharing unverified or fake content, and informing official systems such as the cyber cell.

Media literacy

The ability to access, analyse, evaluate, create, and communicate messages received through various forms of media, including critical interpretation of content.

Digital literacy

The ability to find and efficiently evaluate information from the digital world using digital equipment and technology, including basic computer knowledge, internet navigation, and cyber awareness.

Role of political parties in mobilising public opinion

Encouraging the public to think politically about common issues, where ruling parties propagate government policies and opposition parties highlight administrative failures and shortcomings.

Methods of political parties to shape public opinion

Organising conferences, demonstrations, rallies, and seminars, as well as publishing journals, pamphlets, manifestos, posters, and write-ups.

Role of Election Commission in opinion formation

Intervening and controlling political parties when they go overboard and engage in personal attacks and negative propaganda during election campaigns.

Opinion polls

A method used by professional agencies to gather information about public attitudes and opinions on social, cultural, political, and economic issues by sampling a population.

'Patta Bakki' and 'Adukkalayil Ninnu Arangathekku'

Plays that played a significant role in changing the social life and shaping public opinion in Kerala.

Rabindranath Tagore, Subramania Bharathi, and Vallathol Narayana Menon

Writers whose literary works inspired the Indian freedom movement and influenced public opinion.

Ottanthullal and Chakyarkoothu

Traditional art forms that formed strong public opinion against prevailing social evils and customs, igniting social revolution.

Digital divide

The gap in accessing modern information technology such as the internet, computers, and smartphones, which hinders the formation of effective public opinion.

Factors hindering the formation of public opinion

Illiteracy, the digital divide, poverty, partisanship and lack of democracy within political parties, and unhealthy practices used during election campaigns.