American Government: Chapter 6: Public Opinion and Political Participation

gender gap

Patterned differences in political opinions between women and men.

political elites

Individuals who control significant wealth, status, power, or visibility and who, consequently, have significant influence over public debates.

sampling frame

The types of people planned to survey

demographic groups

People sharing specific factors: for example age, ethnicity/race, religion, or country of origin.

likely voters

Persons identified as probable voters in an upcoming election. Often preferred by polling organizations, but difficult to specify with great accuracy.

framing effects

The influence, on the respondent, of how a polling question is asked; changes in wording can significantly alter many people's answers.

push poll

A form of negative campaigning that masquerades as a regular opinion survey. Usually conducted by a campaign or allied group; features strongly critical or unflattering information about an opponent.

margin of sampling error

The degree of inaccuracy in any poll, arising from the fact that surveys involve a sample of respondents from a population, rather than every member.

response bias

The tendency of poll respondents to misstate their views, frequently to avoid "shameful" opinions like sexism or racism.

bandwagon effect

When people join a cause because it seems popular to support a candidate who is leading in the polls.

boomerang effect

The discrepancy between candidates' high poll ratings and election performance, caused by supporters' assumption that an easy win means they need not turn out.

underdog effect

Sympathy for a candidate behind in the polls, contributing to a higher-than-predicted vote total - and sometimes a surprise election victory.

groupthink

The tendency among a small group of decision makers to converge on a shared set of views; can limit creative thinking or solutions to policy problems.

survey research

Systematic study of a defined population, analyzing a representative sample's views to draw inferences about the larger public's views. Also termed opinion poll.

mandate

Political authority claimed by an election winner as reflecting the approval of the people.

executive order

A presidential declaration, with the force of law, that issues instructions to the executive branch without any requirement for congressional action or approval.

policy agenda

The issues that the media covers, the public considers important, and politicians address. Setting the agenda is the first step in political action.

approval rating

A measure of public support for a political figure or institution.

voter turnout

A measure of what proportion of eligible voters actually cast a legitimate ballot in a given election.

electoral activities

Public engagement in the form of voting, running for office, volunteering on a campaign, or otherwise participating in elections.

civic volunteerism

Citizen participation in public life without government incentives or coercion (speaking at a town meeting vs. paying taxes

political voice

Exercising one's public rights, often through speaking out in protest or in favor of some policy change

paradox of voting

For most individuals, the cost of voting outweighs the apparent benefits.

social capital

Relations between people that build closer ties of trust and civic engagement, yielding productive benefits for the larger society.

political mobilization

Efforts to encourage people to engage in the public sphere: to vote for a particular candidate or to get involved in specific issues.

issue advocacy

Organized effort to advance a proposed pubic policy change.

grassroots

A movement for political reform that is sparked at the local level.

astroturf

A movement for reform that appears to be from the grassroots but is actually mobilized by political professionals.

dog whistling

Using insider, "coded" language to rouse constituents or interest-group members who care strongly about an issue.

motor voter law

Passed in 1993, this act enables prospective voters to register when they receive their driver's license.

clicktivism

Democracy enhanced through the click of a mouse.

Din

Shorthand for the sheer volume of information of information and noise generated by online sources; can be a disincentive to participate politically.