Public Opinion and Political Socialization: Shaping the People’s Voice Chapter 6

The Nature of Public Opinion Public opinion: opinions of citizens that are openly stated How informed is public opinion? Selective political interests Quality of services vs. cost © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

The Nature of Public Opinion How informed is public opinion? Well-informed vs. misinformed Objective opinions vs. subjective opinions © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

The Nature of Public Opinion The measurement of public opinion Measures public opinion using sample(s) Samples  estimation of population’s views Population: citizens of a nation or group © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

The Nature of Public Opinion Problems with Polls Sampling error Poorly worded questions Non-opinions © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Political Socialization: How Americans Learn Their Politics Political socialization process Childhood learning is paramount Process is cumulative Young more likely than old to switch parties © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Political Socialization: How Americans Learn Their Politics Political socialization agents Family Media Schools Peers Political institutions and leaders Religious institutions © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Frames of Reference: How Americans Think Politically Cultural thinking: common ideas Ideological thinking: the outlook of some Liberal Conservative Populists Libertarians © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Frames of Reference: How Americans Think Politically Group thinking: outlook of many Religion Class Region Race and ethnicity Gender Age Crosscutting cleavages © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Frames of Reference: How Americans Think Politically Partisan thinking: line that divides Party identification  emotional loyalty to a political party Identification is stable and seldom changes over time Leads to subjective opinions about new issues © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Influence of Public Opinion on Policy Public opinion guides elected officials’ actions Public opinion Can become an issue in an election Can be changed Can be activated Can be crystallized © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.