American Government and Politics Review Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards created from lecture review notes covering public opinion polling, American core values, political socialization, and generational impacts on political ideology.

Opinion poll

A type of scientific poll that measures public opinion on various issues.

Benchmark poll

A poll creating baseline views of a candidate, used to give a candidate an idea of how they would do in an election if they ran.

Tracking poll

A poll following how views of a candidate change during a campaign, allowing a campaign to track issues and decide what issues to focus on.

Exit poll

A poll conducted outside a polling place collecting data from people who just voted to see why people voted the way they did AND to predict election outcomes before the polls close.

Polling methodology

The way a poll is conducted, which becomes more precise when including accurate sampling methods (with margin of error), neutral framing of questions, and accurate reporting.

Margin of error

A statistic indicating the accuracy of a poll, with a good margin of error being +/-4 or less.

Individualism

A core American value where each person has the ability to shape their life and destiny through the choices they make.

Equality of opportunity

A core American value where all people are given an equal chance to compete.

Rule of law

A core American value where every person, even those in power, must follow and is accountable to the same laws that govern all.

Free enterprise

A core American value where the market (not the government) determines prices, products, and services.

Limited government

A core American value where a government's power is not absolute, limited in the U.S. by the U.S. Constitution.

Political socialization

The process by which individuals develop political beliefs, values, opinions, and behaviors through family, schools, peers, media, social environments, and major political events.

U.S. political culture

The democratic ideals, principles, and core values of the American people, which both influences and is influenced by foreign cultures through globalization.

Generational effects

Experiences shared by people of a common age that help an individual develop their political ideology.

Life cycle effects

Experiences a person encounters during different life stages, such as attending college, having a child, or retiring, that help develop political ideology.

Silent Generation

The generation born 1928-1945 with a common political ideology of Conservative, influenced by events like Great Depression & WWII.

Baby Boomers

The generation born 1946-1964 with a common political ideology of Conservative, influenced by events like JFK, Malcolm X & MLK Assassinations, and the Vietnam War.

Gen X

The generation born 1965-1980 with a common political ideology of Moderate/Conservative, influenced by events like Cold War, Watergate, Gulf Wars, Challenger explosion, personal computers, and 9/11.

Millennials

The generation born 1981-1994 with a common political ideology of Moderate/Liberal, influenced by events like 9/11, election of Obama, mass shootings, death of Bin Laden, and Great Recession '08.

Gen Z

The generation born 1995-2010 with a common political ideology of Moderate/Liberal, influenced by events like Social media, #Metoo, election of Trump, No Child Left Behind, smartphones, and Covid-19.