Political Socialization
Which of the following is the primary agent of political socialization?
A. Family
B.Gender
C.Race
D.Religion
Answer A
Family is the biggest influence on one's political socialization, largely due to the 'kitchen table politics,' and is the process by which one develops political beliefs, identifying with the same political ideology or opposing it. ( Democrats vs. Republicans)
True or False
Liberals don't want government intervention in society.
False.
Liberals embrace the need for government intervention in society to promote social and economic equality and to protect individuals.
Which type of poll is the most reliable way to assess public opinion?
A. Benchmark Polls
B. Tracking Polls
C. Public Opinion
D. Entrance & Exit Polls
Answer C
Which policy best reflects a liberal economic viewpoint?
(A) Lowering corporate taxes to spur investment.
(B) Increasing government spending on infrastructure to create jobs.
(C) Deregulating financial markets.
(D) Reducing social safety net programs.
Liberals favor government intervention (spending, regulation) to manage the economy, while conservatives lean toward supply-side economics.
True or False: The monetary policy is designed to decide how much money should be in the economy.
The correct answer is true. Monetary Policy refers to the actions by a nation's central bank (the Federal Reserve in the U.S.) to manage the money supply and credit conditions (like interest rates) to achieve macroeconomic goals like controlling inflation, fostering employment, and stabilizing prices
Which core american vallue is most challenged by a policy that gives everyone the same outcome regardless of effort?
A)Rule of Law
B) Limited Government
C) Individualism
D) Equality of Opportunity
D) Equality of Opportunity
Correct because equality of opportunity means everyone has an equal chance to succeed, guaranteeing the same result ( equality of outcome).
Which of the following is a correct explanation for why both Democrats and Republicans are generally reluctant to decrease spending on Social Security?
A. Social Security payments are guaranteed by laws that cannot be changed
B. Most Social Security benefits are paid to older people, and older people are more likely to vote
C. The Social Security trust fund is so large that it is unlikely to run out of money in the next century
D. Democrats and Republicans have worked out their differences by partially privatizing Social Security
Answer B
B is correct, because Congressmen need to win re-election, so cutting benefits to active voters is dangerous.
Governor Dwayne “The Rock” is thinking of running for president. His staff decides to send out a poll to see how many votes he currently has. What type of poll should they issue?
A. Benchmark poll
B. Entrance poll
C. Tracking poll
D. Exit poll
The correct answer is A! A benchmark poll is typically the first poll taken in a campaign. It is used to gauge a candidate's initial standing with the public, measure public opinion on key issues, and assess potential support before any significant campaign has begun.
Supply-side economics are usually preferred by:
A. Democrats
B. Republican
C. Libertarian
D. None of the above
The correct answer is B! Supply-side economics is a theory that argues that lowering taxes, especially for business and the wealthy, along with cutting regulations, encourages the supply of goods and services. Therefore, aligning with Republican ideals of low taxes, limited government intervention, and deregulation.
A politician advocating for lower taxes, reducing government spending on social programs, and increasing defense spending most likely aligns with which ideology?
A) Liberalism
B) Populism
c) Socialism
D) Conservatism
D) Conservatism
Correct because American Conservatism favors smaller government, less regulation, and traditional values, contrasting with liberal support for social programs and regulations.
A political scientist analyzes data showing that people with higher levels of education tend to be more liberal on social issues. This finding relates to which aspect of political socialization?
A) Political culture
B) Demographic Factors
C) Mandate
D) Socioeconomic Status
B) Demographic factors
Correct because political socialization research often shows that differences in education are associated with differences in political attitudes (such as views on social issues).
One difference between Liberals and Libertarians is:
A. Liberals are more progressive, but libertarians are more conservative
B. Liberals want gun control, libertarians don’t
C. Liberals want an active government, but libertarians want limited to no government
D. Liberals love their country, but libertarians hate their country
The correct answer is C! A major difference between Liberals and Libertarians is that Liberals want an active government in their lives, but libertarians are more individualistic and don’t want an involved government.
A poll that systemically underrepresents a specific demographic group due to their reluctance to participate is experiencing which issue?
A) Bandwagon Effect
B) Margin of Error
C) Non-Response Bias
D) Sampling Error
C) Non-Response Bias
Correct because it occurs when certain groups are underrepresented in a poll because they are less likely to participate, and their absence will systematically decline the results.
Consists of stimulating growth to stabilize the economy. The government should actively manage the economy through fiscal spending, taxation & government spending during slumps. Which of the following is reflected by these economic ideals?
A. Monetary Policy
B. Laissez Fair
C. Keynesian Economics
D. Supply-Side Economics
The correct answer is C. Keynesian economics advocates for government intervention to stabilize the economy, particularly when the economy is in recession. Contrasting with laissez-faire by promoting intervention to ensure full employment and fairness.
Which core value represents an economic system in which private business operates in competition and largely free of state control?
A. Free enterprise
B. Individualism
C. Rule of law
D. Equal opportunity
The correct answer is A! Free enterprise is the core value that represents an economic system in which private business operates in competition and largely free of state control.
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates political socialization?
A.The government establishes a tax policy benefiting lower-income families.
B. A young teenager hears her parents discussing politics around the dinner table, which influences her own
views.
C. A citizen serves on a jury and receives training on how to apply the law.
D. A suspect is informed of his rights by an officer who is about to interrogate him.
B is the correct answer! Political socialization is the process by which individuals acquire political attitudes, beliefs, and behavior. The family is considered a primary agent of socialization, and children often adopt the political views of their parents.
Which of the following political parties would be most likely to support little or no regulation in the marketplace beyond the protection of property rights and voluntary trade?
(A) The Green Party
(B) The Republican Party
(C) The Libertarian Party
(D) The Democratic Party
The correct answer is C! The Libertarian Party platform is centered on a philosophy of limited government intervention in both social and economic affairs. They advocate for free market principles, minimal regulation, and the protection of property rights.
A 2013 YouGov poll question asked, “President Obama says the 1975 Public Affairs Act should be repealed. Do you agree or disagree?” The results showed that 13 percent of Democrats agreed and 39 percent of Republicans disagreed. However, the 1975 Public Affairs Act is fictitious. Which of the following is illustrated by the scenario?
(A) The type of information given in a poll question can affect how individuals respond.
(B) Public opinion polls can serve as a source of public support for elected officials.
(C) Sampling techniques that use small sample sizes usually produce more reliable results.
(D) When the question wording is accurate, there is no margin of error.
The correct answer is A! The scenario illustrates that individuals' responses to a poll can be significantly influenced by the way the question is framed, especially when it includes cues like endorsement of a political figure and fictitious policy.
Which of the following controls American monetary policy?
(A) Congress
(B) The Department of the Treasury
(C) The Federal Reserve Board
(D) The Office of Management and Budget
Answer: C
The Federal Reserve Board controls monetary policy, which involves interest rates and the size of the money supply.
Which of the following best explains how partisan differences between the president and Congress affect policymaking in the federal government?
(A) It would weaken the power of congressional party leadership in the House of Representatives because the rules require a majority of members to approve bills.
(B) It reduces the chances of bills becoming law because the president and the majority party in Congress are from different parties.
(C) It leads to fewer bills being introduced into Congress because it is less likely that these bills will make it through politically divided committees.
(D) It reduces the incentive to work across party lines because legislation that is vetoed can be overridden with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers.
The correct answer is B! Partisan differences between the President and Congress often lead to gridlock, making it difficult for legislation to pass. When the president and the majority in Congress belong to different parties, they have conflicting policy goals, increasing presidential vetoes, and legislative stalemates.
When a major historical event, like the 9/11 attacks or the Great Recession, causes a generation to develop distinct political views increased focus on security or government intervention), this is known as:
(A) Political efficacy
(B) A lifecycle effect
(C) A generational effect
(D) Elite theory
Answer: (C) A generational effect
C is correct because Generational effects occur when a major event shapes the political outlook of an entire age cohort, leading to different long-term political attitudes compared to older or younger groups.
What does the "margin of error" in a poll indicate?
A. The percentage of people who refuse to answer.
B. The likelihood that the sample accurately reflects the whole population within a certain range.
C. The pollster's personal bias.
D. How often the poll was conducted.
B) is Correct
B is correct because the Margin of error quantifies the potential difference between the poll's results and the true population's opinion, showing a sampling reliability.
A media outlet calls voters after they've voted at a polling place to ask who they voted for. This is:
(A) Benchmark poll.
(B) Tracking poll.
(C) Exit poll.
(D) Focus group.
C) is correct
C is correct because Exit polls are conducted at polling stations on election day to get quick, early results and understand why people voted the way they did.
Which of the following policies would a modern Democrat most likely support?
(A) Eliminating the minimum wage.
(B) Decreasing social safety net programs.
(C) Increasing regulations on Wall Street.
(D) Lowering corporate income taxes to spur investment.
C) is correct
C is correct because Democrats generally favor more government intervention to protect consumers and workers, often supporting increased regulation and social programs, contrasting with Republican emphasis on deregulation and tax cuts.
Which of the following best illustrates political socialization?
(A) A president signing a bill into law.
(B) A poll showing public opinion shifting on an issue.
(C) A child adopting their parents' political party affiliation.
(D) Congress passing a new budget.
C) is correct
C is correct! Because political socialization is the lifelong process where individuals acquire their political beliefs and values, sometimes heavily influenced by family, peers, and media, making the transmission of party affiliation.