Unit 4 Heimler Review Guide: Core Beliefs and Political Socialization

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the core beliefs of American citizens, political socialization factors, economic policies, and polling methodologies based on the Unit 4 Heimler Review Guide.

Individualism

A core American belief that places value on a person’s independence and self-reliance.

Equality of Opportunity

The belief that every American should have equal rights.

Free Enterprise

The belief that the government should allow forces of supply and demand to govern the marketplace.

Rule of Law

The belief that every citizen is equal under the law.

Limited Government

The belief that government needs well-defined limits and restraints.

Liberal

A political leaning characterized by a push for new reforms to make society more equitable, generally favoring a larger government and more citizen services.

Conservative

A political leaning characterized by a desire to keep established institutions and preserve traditions, generally favoring a smaller government and less citizen services.

Self-centered individualism

A conservative interpretation of individualism that emphasizes the individual over society.

Enlightened individualism

A liberal interpretation of individualism that emphasizes society over the individual.

Political socialization

The process by which American citizens come to believe in conservative or liberal ideologies.

Silent Generation

The generation born between $1928$ - $1945$ which grew up during the Great Depression and WWII, values religion, and generally votes in higher than average numbers.

Millennials

The generation born between $1981$ - $1996$ who are more ethnically diverse, highly educated, and generally more liberal regarding environment and government regulation.

Family (Socialization)

The most significant socialization factor where parents share political beliefs with children.

Globalization (Socialization)

A socialization factor where increased interconnectedness to the world influences political ideology.

Life cycle effect

The cycle where a person's stage in life affects how they think about politics and policy based on what is most important to them at that time.

Political ideology

An interlocking set of ideas that form the basis for political decision making, usually falling along a conservative and liberal spectrum.

Democratic Party

The major American political party that aligns with liberal ideology, concentrated in the Northeast and West Coast, and supports policies like abortion rights and healthcare for the poor.

Republican Party

The major American political party that aligns with conservative ideology, concentrated in the South and Midwest, and supports policies like cutting taxes and anti-regulation for businesses.

Keynesian Economics

Economic policy favoring strong government involvement and borrowing, usually supported by a liberal ideology.

Supply-side Economics

Economic policy focusing on supply and demand with weak government involvement, usually supported by a conservative ideology.

Fiscal Policy

Economic policy regarding taxation and spending.

Monetary Policy

Economic policy regarding how much currency is in circulation, controlled by the Federal Reserve.

Libertarianism

An ideology highlighting the need for the smallest, least intrusive government possible, favoring almost no government involvement in the economy.

Opinion Poll

A poll used to get a feel for the public’s feelings on certain candidates or policies.

Benchmark Poll

A poll taken at the beginning of a candidate’s run to measure them against in future polls.

Tracking Poll

A poll conducted over time, usually with the same people, to see how feelings change over time on a given issue.

Entrance Poll

A poll conducted with people before they enter their polling place asking how they will vote.

Exit Poll

A poll conducted after a voter leaves their polling location asking how they voted.

Representative sample

A small portion of a larger population that shares the same characteristics as the larger population pollsters seek to measure.

Random sample

A sampling method where every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected to participate.

Sampling error

The acknowledgment of a small margin of error in a poll, where a margin of $\pm 4\%$ or below is considered a good scientific poll.

Mass survey

A survey method effective for cultivating quantitative data due to its large sample size, enhancing statistical accuracy and reliability.

Focus groups

Small groups used to cultivate qualitative data by allowing in-depth discussions on participants’ beliefs and perspectives.

Bandwagon effect

The impulse for people to get behind the winning candidate in the polls, impacting voter support and funding.

Social desirability bias

A phenomenon where individuals provide responses that are socially acceptable rather than reflecting their true beliefs.

Non-response bias

Occurs when certain groups are more likely to decline to participate in a poll, leading to a distorted representation of the population.