Public Opinion Public opinion concerns the attitudes or perceptions that the American public have on issues that face the United States.

 Opinions are often sharply divided over controversial issues. Changes in opinions are slow, if they occur at all.  Public opinion may change how elected officials vote about certain issues, and when opinions change sharply research suggests that public policy follows suit.  But public opinion certainly does not always influence politicians.  Opinions are often sharply divided over controversial issues. Changes in opinions are slow, if they occur at all.  Public opinion may change how elected officials vote about certain issues, and when opinions change sharply research suggests that public policy follows suit.  But public opinion certainly does not always influence politicians.

Measuring Public Opinion Political polling is relatively new.

 In the 1930s statistical techniques were developed to measure public opinion. The techniques of George Gallop and Elmo Roper have been modified over time.  Today, it is difficult to imagine a major political campaign without some form of political polling being used.  In the 1930s statistical techniques were developed to measure public opinion. The techniques of George Gallop and Elmo Roper have been modified over time.  Today, it is difficult to imagine a major political campaign without some form of political polling being used.

 A key component of scientific polling is the representative sample. A representative sample requires that every possible respondent in a poll has the same probability of participating. A sample is a percentage of a population that is used to conduct a poll. A random sample is a sample in which every member of a population has an equal chance of being selected.

 While no poll is perfect, if the size of the sample represents a large portion of the population, then the poll should be an accurate measure of public opinion. Accuracy is often called the sampling error; the degree to which answers bounce around the truth.

 Odds are that of every twenty polls conducted, one will yield false results no matter how scientifically the poll is conducted.  Sampling bias may occur when questions are skewed. In order to provide unbiased results, the questions must be as neutral as possible.  Odds are that of every twenty polls conducted, one will yield false results no matter how scientifically the poll is conducted.  Sampling bias may occur when questions are skewed. In order to provide unbiased results, the questions must be as neutral as possible.

Political Socialization The process through which people acquire their political orientation is called political socialization.

are Family, media, and schools;they are out to get you. Let’s face it-you expect to be influenced somewhat in a U.S. Government class. But political science courses are only formal methods of teaching people about politics. Informal socialization is less obvious, and in some cases more influential than you think. Let’s face it-you expect to be influenced somewhat in a U.S. Government class. But political science courses are only formal methods of teaching people about politics. Informal socialization is less obvious, and in some cases more influential than you think.

When is comes to learning political values and forming political beliefs, the most influential group is the family. Mom probably does not tie you to a chair and shine a light in your eyes until you scream,”I love the Green Party!!!” But, parents that are more politically active tend to influence how active their children will be. Parents also tend to be most influential in determining the political values their children will have.

Television, newspapers, magazines, and the internet all allow the mass communication of information. But, information is not necessarily news. Credible news is still influential in shaping political beliefs and behaviors in the United States. But, a growing number of young adults is less likely to watch television news or read a newspaper than their mature peers. Future voters may not know the difference between credible reporting and aggressive blogging. Television, newspapers, magazines, and the internet all allow the mass communication of information. But, information is not necessarily news. Credible news is still influential in shaping political beliefs and behaviors in the United States. But, a growing number of young adults is less likely to watch television news or read a newspaper than their mature peers. Future voters may not know the difference between credible reporting and aggressive blogging.

Most governments recognize the importance of political socialization. Thus, most governments sponsor civics courses in their public schools. The text says it best. ”Better educated citizens are more likely to vote in elections…exhibit more knowledge about politics and public policy, and…are more tolerant of opposing (even radical) opinions”. Edwards, Wattenberg, Lineberry, Government in America, 11th edition. Page 182