Cram for the exam Public Opinion

Influencing Government BQ#1 Perception is reality… Do you agree or disagree? Why or Why not?

Influencing Government Public Opinion- refers to the ideas an attitudes that most people hold about a piticular issue or person. -It shapes the decisions of the every president. FDR “I cannot go any faster than the people will let me.”

Influencing Government People hold very different feelings/ beliefs on a wide variety of issues. How do we acquire or generate our own opinions? Cultural Capital- is defined as “forms of knowledge, both tangible and intangible, that have value in a given society in relation to status and power.”

Influencing Government Personal background Personal interests 1st hand experiences 2nd hand experiences Informational learning/ education Age Gender Race Religion Income level + Occupation n A Persons Cultural Capital

Influencing Government These 4 can be manipulated through the media! Personal background Personal interests 1st hand experiences 2nd hand experiences Informational learning/ education Age Gender Race Religion Income level + Occupation n A Persons Cultural Capital

Influencing Government Mass Media- TV, Radio, Newspapers, Internet Advertising Therefore through media we can change or manipulate the perception/ public opinion of a person or thing. Mass Media is Extremely Powerful

What were the best prices on items for sale last Friday, and where could you get these items? How do people hear about the black Friday sales? Mass Media

Influencing Government Public opinion is often described in three distinct features. Attributes of Public Opinion 1. Direction 2. Intensity 3. Stability

Influencing Government Attributes of Public Opinion 1. Direction- is public opinion positive or negative on a given topic. Are people for or against an increase on defense spending? On most topics public opinions are mixed, is it moving in favor, or against… 2. Intensity- the strength of the opinion on a given issue. Strong opinions people are more willing to act upon (e.g. voting, demonstrating, aiding) 3. Stability-How firmly people are holding their views. This also can differ widely. Public opinion on presidential candidates is relatively unstable whereas opinions regarding civil rights are very stable.

Influencing Government Public opinion polls- survey that measures how Americans feel about a candidate, president or issue. The questions utilized reveal how the person feels in each of the 3 attributes. But how does it work?

Influencing Government Public Opinion Polls Pollster- the person in charge of conducting the poll. Usually appointed by the president, for the president. -Utilize random samples -Push polls= are polls that utilize reworded questions to try to influence a persons response. -1,500 people from various backgrounds

In a democratic society, numerous forces shape peoples opinions & ideas. Mass Media- 2 main forms 1. print media- newspapers, magazines, letters etc. 2. electronic media- internet, phone calls, radio, TV Public Agenda- The public issues that require the most time, effort and money from the government.

In a democratic society, numerous forces shape peoples opinions & ideas. Politicians & journalist need each other… love-hate relationship Leaks- are usually always intended. Usually to check public opinion for an action.

In a democratic society, numerous forces shape peoples opinions & ideas. Relationship between politicians and journalists Watchdog role of the mass media Conflicts between national security and citizens’ need for information America’s Use of Mass Media

Vocab14 libel written untruths that are harmful to someone’s reputation prior restraint government censorship of material before it is published malice evil intent

In a democratic society, numerous forces shape peoples opinions & ideas. Media Safeguards Freedom of the press is protected by the U.S. Constitution, although some regulation is permitted. The First Amendment and freedom of the press Freedom from prior restraint Libel and limits to freedom of the press Supreme Court ruled that public officials must prove actual malice, or evil intent, by publisher 5. The media’s right to keep sources secret The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as a regulatory commission of the federal bureaucracy