Political Culture and Socialization
What is political culture?
The shared values, beliefs, and attitudes that shape a society’s political behavior
What is a political ideology?
A set of beliefs about government’s role in society and the economy.
What is an exit poll?
A survey taken outside polling places to predict election results before official counts.
What was the Dewey Defeats Truman incident, and how did polling errors contribute?
A 1948 newspaper headline wrongly predicted Dewey’s victory due to flawed polling methods.
What is a public opinion poll?
A survey used to measure public attitudes on various topics.
What is political socialization, and what is its most influential factor?
The process of developing political beliefs; family is the most influential factor.
What is the main difference between liberalism and conservatism?
Liberals favor more government involvement in social and economic issues, while conservatives prefer limited government and traditional values.
What is the bandwagon effect
The tendency for people to support a candidate or policy because it appears popular.
How did the 2000 presidential election demonstrate issues with polling?
Early exit polls inaccurately suggested Gore had won, leading to confusion and recount controversy.
What is the difference between random sampling and stratified sampling?
Random sampling gives everyone an equal chance; stratified sampling ensures representation of key demographic groups.
How does media influence political socialization?
It shapes opinions by highlighting issues, framing debates, and reinforcing biases.
Define libertarianism and populism.
Libertarianism supports minimal government interference in all aspects of life; populism advocates for the common people against elites.
What is the halo effect?
When respondents give socially desirable answers instead of their true opinions.
How did public opinion shape the Civil Rights Movement?
Increased public support due to media coverage helped push for civil rights legislation.
What is margin of error, and why does it matter in polling?
The margin of error shows how much poll results could vary, affecting accuracy.
How do schools contribute to political socialization?
Schools teach civic responsibility, history, and democratic principles that shape political views.
How do political ideologies influence voting behavior?
Ideologies shape views on candidates, policies, and party affiliation, influencing voter choices.
What does saliency mean in public opinion research?
The level of importance an issue has in shaping a person’s political views.
How did Watergate impact public trust in government?
It led to a major decline in trust and increased skepticism toward government officials.
What is a push poll, and why is it controversial?
A misleading poll designed to sway opinions rather than measure them objectively.
) How can major events (Ex: 9/11 or COVID-19) influence political culture?
They shift public attitudes, increase trust or skepticism toward the government, and affect policy priorities.
What is partisan polarization, and why has it increased in recent years?
The growing divide between political parties; caused by media influence, ideological shifts, and political strategies.
What is the honeymoon period in public opinion?
The early period of a presidency when public support is generally high before political opposition grows.
How did polling errors affect predictions in the 2016 U.S. presidential election?
Many polls underestimated Trump’s support in key swing states, leading to inaccurate forecasts.
How can question wording affect poll results?
Leading or biased wording can influence respondents' answers and distort findings.