Class
How do we measure class? What are the downsides of each measure?
Subjective social class = how people place themselves
--> Consider common problems with other self-identified measures (e.g. labels mean different things to different people)
Objective indicators of occupation, income, and education
--> Education: getting more education (e.g. going to college) does not always lead to more $
--> Income: doesn't account for cost of living
--> Occupation (white vs blue collar): white collar doesn't always mean more $
What is the relationship between race and ideology?
Non-white ppl tend to be more liberal on most issues.
What is group identification? How is it different from group membership? How is it different from group consciousness?
Group membership = “objectively belonging to a particular social group. Psychological closeness to the group or awareness of one’s membership is not necessary” (p. 52)
Group identification = “self-awareness of one’s membership in the group and a psychological sense of attachment to the group” (p. 53)
Group Consciousness = “a politicized awareness, or ideology, regarding the group’s relative positions in society, and a commitment to collective action aimed at realizing the group’s interests”
How has public opinion in the South changed over the past 60-70 years?
Historically: conservative on race; overwhelming support for Dem party
Currently: more similar to rest of country on race; whites overwhelmingly Rep
What is the relationship between gender and political opinions?
Gender gap in partisanship and voting developed in mid- to late- 20th century. Issue positions are closer but there are some exceptions.
What is the relationship between education and other political opinions? In what way has it changed recently?
As edu goes up, more liberalism on non-econ issues; does not predict position on econ issues
Growing divide in education. Relationship between education and vote choice/party ID changing.
Has the relationship between race and party ID been consistent over the past 100 years?
African Americans tended to vote Republican (party of Lincoln) until ~1930s
A company led by a female CEO reports record profits. How would a man exhibiting ultimate attribution bias explain this?
Bonus Q: How would a woman exhibiting the same bias explain this?
Possible explanations = Favorable market conditions and economic factors. Lucky timing and circumstances beyond the CEO's control
Bonus Q answer: Possible explanations = Hard work. Strong leadership and business acumen
Are there large difference in public opinion between red and blue states? If so, what are they?
Despite some differences, the distribution of opinions in red and blue states largely overlap.
Why might younger and older cohorts differ from each other? Do they differ?
Life-cycle effects + Generational effects
Most issues: no diff
Some issues: older ppl more conservative
Rare issues: older ppl more lib
Differences in political interest/involvement
What the relationship between self-identified status and political opinions?
As self-identified social status increases, less likely to want gov spending, more liberalism on non-econ issues
Consider the relationship between class and political opinions about economic issues. Is this different across racial groups?
African Americans = class does NOT predict con/lib opinions on econ issues
White Americans = class predict con/lib opinions on econ issues
What is ultimate attribution bias according to Conover? Why is it important to her theory?
Ultimate attribution bias = “positive behaviors performed by in-group members and negative behaviors performed by out-group members are attributed to internal factors, whereas negative in-group behaviors and positive out-group behaviors are attributed to external factors.” (p. 63)
Important b/c shapes whether people think another group's status is fair or unfair.
Example of how group identity shapes opinion.
Are there large differences in public opinion between rural and urban places? If so, what are they?
Cities tend to be more liberal on average.
What best explains the gender gap? What are the competing theories?
Studies suggest movement among men explains most of gap
Other explanation: women become more lib as enter workforce/get edu