Political Science American Government and Politics Chapter 6 Public Opinion

6-1 Public Opinion the aggregate of individual attitudes or beliefs shared by some portion of the adult population –there is no one public opinion because there are many different “publics” Consensus opinions – when there is general agreement among the citizenry on an issue Divisive opinions – when public opinion is polarized between two quite different positions

6-2 Consensus Opinion

6-3 Divisive Opinion

6-4 Nonopinion

6-5 Qualities of Public Opinion Intensity – the strength of a position for or against an issue –intense opinions are often critical in generating public action –an intense minority often can win on issue over a less intense majority Fluidity – the extent to which public opinion changes over time Stability – the extent to which public opinion remains constant over a period of time

6-5b Qualities of Public Opinion (cont.) Relevance – the extent to which an issue is of concern as a particular time –issues become relevant when they are viewed as of direct concern to daily life Political knowledge – the extent to which individuals are aware of an issue

6-6 Aspects of Polling Techniques simple random sample – each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample quota sample – a less accurate technique wherein polling organizations predetermine the characteristics of the needed sample, and then find respondents with those characteristics to fill the slots sampling error – the difference between a sample’s results and the result if the entire population had been interviewed

6-7 What is Political Socialization? –the process by which individuals acquire political beliefs and attitudes How are Americans socialized? –Family the most important force in socialization links us to other forces of socialization parents communicate preferences to children children want to please parents and are receptive to their views demonstrated the most in consistency in party identification

6-7b What is Political Socialization? (cont.) Education –learn patriotism, structure of government and how to form positions on issues –more the education a person has, the more likely he or she will be interested in politics Peers –most likely to shape political opinions when peer groups are politically active

6-7c What is Political Socialization? (cont.) Religious Influence –religious groups are likely to transmit definite political preferences Roman Catholics  liberal Protestants  conservative Jewish  liberal

6-8 How are Americans socialized? Economic Status and Occupation –poorer people  more inclined to favor social- welfare programs, more isolationist –richer people  more tolerant of social change, conservative economically

6-8b How are Americans socialized? (cont.) Influence of Political Events –events impact people’s political attitudes –when the effect of an event is long-lasting and impacts the preferences of those who came of age at that time, it is called a generational effect Examples include the Great Depression, World War II and the Vietnam War

6-8c How are Americans socialized? (cont.) Opinion Leaders’ Influence –leaders sometimes influence the opinions of others Media Influence –newspapers, t.v., radio and the Internet influence public opinion through agenda setting by shaping opinions

6-8d How are Americans socialized? (cont.) Demographic Traits –African Americans  liberal –whites  comparatively conservative –younger adults  liberal –older adults  comparatively conservative The Gender Gap – the difference between the percentage of votes a candidates receives from women versus from men –women tend to vote more Democrat –men tend to vote more Republican

6-9 Most Important Problem Trend, 1975 to Present

6-10 Ideology and Public Opinion Liberal ideology –endorse national government solutions to public problems –support social-welfare programs to help the disadvantaged –government should intervene to ensure the economy runs smoothly –support social change –support women’s rights –support civil rights –oppose increased defense spending

6-10b Ideology and Public Opinion (cont.) Conservative ideology – national government has grown too large – national government should not interfere with private sector –social welfare programs should be limited –state and local governments should be able to make their own decisions –national defense should be strengthened –support traditional values –oppose gay rights

6-11 Ideological Self-identification, 1976 to Present