Public Opinion & Political Ideology (Unit 4)
What is public opinion?
The collective attitudes and beliefs of individuals on political issues, policies, and government.
What elements make up a scientific poll?
Random sampling, representative sample, neutral wording, and a clear target population.
What is rational choice voting, and how does it explain voter behavior?
Voters weigh costs and benefits to decide whether and for whom to vote.
What is a linkage institution, and why are political parties, interest groups, and the media considered one?
Organizations that connect citizens to government by shaping elections and policy outcomes.
What role do primaries and caucuses play in candidate selection?
They determine party nominees for general elections.
How does individualism influence Americans’ expectations of government responsibility?
It promotes self-reliance and skepticism of government intervention, leading many to favor limited government involvement.
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How does retrospective voting differ from prospective voting?
Retrospective evaluates past performance; prospective focuses on future promises.
What are the primary functions of political parties?
Nominate candidates, mobilize voters, fundraise, organize government, and develop platforms.
What is the electoral college?
The Electoral College is the process the U.S. uses to elect the president indirectly, where citizens vote for "electors" pledged to a candidate rather than directly for the candidate. It consists of 538 total electors (based on state population); a candidate needs 270 votes to win //// It allocates electoral votes by state, often through winner-take-all systems, shaping campaign strategy.
What is political socialization?
The process by which individuals develop political beliefs; it helps create informed citizens and maintains democratic stability.
Why is random sampling important for accurate polling?
Why is random sampling important for accurate polling?
What factors influence voter turnout in the United States?
Education, income, age, party mobilization, competitiveness of elections, and political efficacy.
What structural barriers limit third-party success in the U.S. electoral system?
Winner-take-all elections, ballot access laws, and the Electoral College.
What is the incumbency advantage?
Incumbents benefit from name recognition, fundraising networks, media exposure, and constituent services.
What are the major agents of political socialization, and how do they differ in influence?
Family (early foundation), school (civic knowledge), peers (social influence), media (information framing), and religion (value formation).
What is the difference between benchmark, tracking, and exit polls?
Benchmark polls measure initial attitudes; tracking polls measure changes over time; exit polls survey voters after voting.
How do structural barriers affect political participation?
Policies like voter ID laws, registration deadlines, and limited polling access can reduce turnout.
What is the free-rider problem, and why does it challenge interest groups?
People benefit from group success without contributing, reducing participation and funding.
What is agenda setting, and why is it powerful?
The media influences which issues the public views as important.
How do generational effects differ from life-cycle effects on political ideology?
Generational effects occur when shared historical experiences shape lasting beliefs, while life-cycle effects reflect changes due to age or life stages.
What is sampling error, and how does margin of error affect poll interpretation?
Sampling error is the difference between sample results and the population; margin of error shows the range in which the true value likely falls.
How does political efficacy influence voter turnout?
Higher internal and external efficacy increases likelihood of participation.
How does inequality in interest group resources affect policymaking?
Wealthier groups have greater access, lobbying power, and influence over policy outcomes.
How has modern media—including social media—changed political participation and campaigns?
It increases engagement and fundraising access but also spreads misinformation and intensifies polarization.