Political Socialization & Ideologies
How are most people politically socialized?
By their family
What does "voter turnout" refer to?
The number of eligible voters who actually vote
The variety of physical, social, and psychological changes people go through as they age
Lifecycle effects
Political Efficacy
A belief that one's voice can affect government policies
How does age affect the likelihood someone will go out and vote?
The older someone is, the more likely they are to vote.
What is political socialization?
The process by which someone acquires their political beliefs and their views on the role of the government
What is the difference between a closed primary and an open primary?
Closed primary- Voters must declare party affiliation in advance of the election
Open primary- Voters declare party affiliation on election day, anyone can vote for anyone
Different voting patterns & political beliefs for people in different generations
Generational effects
What is a political platform?
A statement which contains the party's goals and its view of various social and political issues.
How do interest groups influence politicians?
By using lobbyists to try and persuade them to adopt certain causes, and by providing campaign assistance in the form of money to those support their causes.
What is the "gender gap"? Provide an example of this.
Differences in political views between men and women. Women are more likely to be Democrats and men are more likely to be Republican.
What are the three types of elections used in the United States?
Special elections, general elections, and primary elections
Surveys with samples of citizens used to estimate beliefs and feelings of entire population
Public opinion polls
Civic Duty
The belief that one has a responsibility to be involved in political affairs, such as voting
An economic system that is based upon private ownership, individual initiative, profit, and competition
Free enterprise
Favors traditional American values, respect for authority, law and order, and national defense
Republican - Conservative
Put the following types of election in order from highest voter turnout to lowest voter turnout: local elections, presidential elections, midterm elections
Presidential elections (~60%), midterm elections (~35%), local elections (~25%),
Four factors affecting poll results (name two)
knowledge of topic, wording of the question, questions that focus only on benefits, question order
Method of selecting individuals from a population in which each person has an equal probability of being selected
Random sample
Equality of Opportunity
The principle that each person is guaranteed the same chance to succeed
(Progressive) Favors an active government role in regulating the economy & promoting equality
Democrat - Liberal
What are 4 of the main factors that determines whether or not someone will vote?
Gender, Age, Race, Education level, Religion, Income, Job
Polls conducted as voters arrive/leave polling places on election day
Entrance and Exit polls
What is one of three roles interest groups play?
1. Educating voters and officeholders by providing information and analysis on issues related to their cause
2. Lobbying: Interest groups conduct lobbying efforts by meeting with elected officials to promote their agenda.
3. Drafting legislation: Interest groups may draft legislation and provide it to lawmakers to introduce and sponsor.
4. Mobilization: Interest groups mobilize their membership to apply pressure on legislators and government agencies.
5. Exerting Influence: providing expert testimony in congressional hearings, threaten funding/support to reluctant members of Congress, filing amicus curiae briefs, creating ads to support or attack politicians
List one of the three roles the media plays in elections.
Gatekeeper- Sets the national agenda regarding what is important policy
Scorekeeper- media follows day-to-day campaign activities; also known as horse-race journalism
Watchdog- scrutinize the actions of people and events involving politicians and the government as a whole