Deck 6: Public Opinion and Political Participation

Question 1

Officeholders and political candidates consume polling information. How should they use such information? How can they avoid charges that they are merely following public opinion and not "leading"?

Answer 1

Officeholders and political candidates should use polling information as a tool to understand the concerns and priorities of the public. This information can help them tailor their policies and messaging to better align with the needs of their constituents. It can also provide insight into which issues are resonating with the public and which ones may need more attention.

However, it is important for officeholders and candidates to use polling information as just one piece of the puzzle. They should also rely on their own principles, values, and expertise to make decisions. It is crucial for them to demonstrate leadership by taking a stand on important issues, even if it may not be the most popular opinion at the time.

To avoid charges that they are merely following public opinion and not "leading," officeholders and candidates should communicate their decision-making process transparently. They should explain how they have considered polling information, along with other factors, in reaching their conclusions. Additionally, they should be willing to engage in open dialogue with the public to explain their reasoning and listen to alternative viewpoints.

Ultimately, using polling information can be a valuable tool for officeholders and candidates, but it should not be the sole basis for their decisions. By demonstrating strong leadership and a willingness to engage with the public, they can avoid the perception of simply following public opinion.

Question 2

What might account for the gender gap seen in such issues as the proper role of government in workplace safety and health and environmental protections? What factors of political socialization could account for such differences of opinion between men and women?

Answer 2

The gender gap seen in issues such as the proper role of government in workplace safety and health and environmental protections could be attributed to a variety of factors. One potential explanation is the influence of traditional gender roles and societal expectations. Historically, men have been socialized to be more focused on economic and business interests, while women have been socialized to prioritize caregiving and environmental concerns. This could lead to differing opinions on the role of government in regulating workplace safety and environmental protections.

Additionally, differences in life experiences and occupational roles may also contribute to the gender gap in these issues. For example, men may be more likely to work in industries with higher safety risks, leading them to prioritize workplace safety regulations, while women may be more likely to be concerned with the impact of environmental protections on their communities and families.

Furthermore, political socialization, or the process through which individuals form their political beliefs and values, may also play a role in shaping differing opinions between men and women. For example, men and women may be socialized to have different attitudes towards government intervention and regulation, leading to divergent views on the proper role of government in workplace safety and environmental protections.

Overall, the gender gap in these issues is likely influenced by a combination of societal expectations, life experiences, and political socialization, all of which contribute to differing opinions between men and women.

Question 3

Americans are often accused of not knowing much about politics. Is this true? Consider how political knowledge is affected by intensity (strong feelings provoked by an issue) and saliency (the importance of an issue to an individual). Do people tend to know more about issues they care about and that affect them personally? Can you think of any examples of this tendency among your friends and family?

Answer 3

The accusation that Americans do not know much about politics is a complex issue that can be influenced by a variety of factors. One important factor to consider is the level of intensity and saliency individuals have towards political issues. Research has shown that people tend to know more about issues that they care about and that affect them personally.

For example, individuals who are strongly passionate about environmental issues may have a higher level of knowledge about climate change and environmental policies. Similarly, individuals who are directly impacted by healthcare policies may have a deeper understanding of healthcare reform and related issues.

In my own circle of friends and family, I have observed this tendency. For instance, a friend who works in the healthcare industry is very knowledgeable about healthcare policies and reform efforts. Another friend who is passionate about education is well-informed about education policies and funding issues. On the other hand, individuals who do not feel personally affected by certain political issues may not have as much knowledge or interest in those topics.

Overall, while the accusation that Americans do not know much about politics may have some validity, it is important to consider the role of intensity and saliency in shaping individuals' political knowledge. When people are personally invested in an issue, they are more likely to seek out information and become knowledgeable about it.

Question 4

Why might Americans express a lack of trust in the federal government while at the same time expressing pride in being American and support for specific government programs and services? What accounts for this seeming paradox?

Question 5

In America, we like to believe that children move away from home and become their own men and women. Yet one of the most reliable predictors of a person's political views are the views of his or her parents. What might account for the power of political socialization by the family?

Question 6

Why, despite an overwhelming scientific consensus on the reality of global climate change, have climate change "deniers" been so successful in influencing American public opinion?

Question 7

The authors note that environmental action and legislation have gone through the "five-stage issue-attention cycle model" proposed by Anthony Downs. Can you think of another issue that has gone through such a cycle? (Consider AIDS, for example.)

Question 8

A major reason American confidence and trust in public officials has declined is that:

A) Leaders are not well-informed on issues important to voters.
B) Representatives always say one thing and vote the opposite way in the Senate.
C) People cannot empathize with public officials.
D) Americans do not believe that elected officials are fundamentally honest.

Question 9

A poll that relies on an unsystematic selection of respondents and that is not representative of the public at large is known as a:

A) Random probability poll
B) Scientific poll
C) Stratified poll
D) Straw poll

Question 10

Which of the following is the fastest-growing outlet for citizens to receive political information?

A) Television
B) Talk radio
C) Social media
D) Direct mail

Question 11

According to political scientist Max Skidmore, ideology:

A) Is inconsistent with voters' intent
B) Is inconclusive in determining who will win the election
C) Forms people's opinions
D) Inspires action to achieve certain goals

Question 12

According to the myth of majority opinion in the United States, we can easily:

A) Show that majority opinion rules
B) Predict that most Americans have no political opinions
C) Determine the majority opinion on most political issues
D) Demonstrate that most Americans are wrong in their political opinions

Question 13

American public schools play a particularly important role as agents of political socialization by:

A) Reinforcing patriotic attitudes
B) Instilling tolerance of minorities
C) Determining political party identification
D) Fostering support for humanistic values

Question 14

American's common political culture is revealed in our:

A) Variety of social and economic backgrounds
B) Close presidential election results
C) Agreement on the value of democracy
D) General sense of unity

Question 15

As a form of political participation, protests and demonstrations have been:

A) Shunned by average Americans
B) Increasingly common since the 1960s
C) Generally used before people try other means of participation
D) Used mostly by people who are very active in all forms of political participation

Question 16

As an agent of political socialization, religion is:

A) Unimportant because few political people are religious
B) Unimportant because churches don't openly take positions on political issues
C) Important as the main source of a person's sense of political efficacy
D) Important because religion teaches moral values that are often applied to politics

Question 17

As influences on political attitudes, peer groups and friends:

A) Have their greatest influence on people under the age of 18
B) Tend to reinforce existing values among older people
C) Have the most influence on determining party identification
D) Are more important than family influences throughout life

Question 18

College-educated people are more likely to:

A) Vote with more confidence
B) Express their views regardless of the facts
C) Believe the political information they hear in the media
D) Feel a greater sense of political efficacy

Question 19

Conservative political policies in the United States are MOST likely to have the support of:

A) Single Hispanics
B) Jewish women
C) White Protestant males
D) Married African Americans

Question 20

Efforts made by citizens to act on their opinions and affect the policies of government are referred to as political:

A) Efficacy
B) Socialization
C) Acculturation
D) Participation

Question 21

Generally speaking, the lowest voter turnout comes from people in the age range of:

A) 18 to 25
B) 21 to 30
C) 25 to 35
D) 35 and older

Question 22

Historically, polls show men to be more concerned about ____ than women.

A) poverty and hunger
B) the budget and trade deficits
C) moral and religious decline
D) drug abuse

Question 23

In a well-written poll, questions must be:

A) Presented in a certain order
B) Written to sway the opinions of those taking the poll
C) Asked only if the poll administrator can predict the outcome
D) Written so that their form or content does not alter responses

Question 24

Overall, television coverage of politics:

A) Accounts for more newscast time than coverage of any other news
B) Has become increasingly important to young voters in the 21^st century
C) Has been increasingly seen as having a positive impact on politics
D) Accounts for less than 5% of newscast time

Question 25

In order to distinguish between informed and uninformed responses, pollsters should:

A) Administer polls only to select segments of the population
B) Measure what people know about an issue as well as their opinions on that issue
C) Take certain questions out of every other poll
D) Consider the educational background of voters

Question 26

In public opinion polling, random probability sampling means that:

A) People can choose the questions they will answer.
B) Certain types of people are asked certain types of questions.
C) Respondents are not allowed to know whether or not their answers will be used.
D) Every person in the population has a theoretical chance of being questioned.

Question 27

Between 2008 and 2016, polls showed the state of the economy became far less likely to be considered the most important problem facing the nation. This is an example of:

A) stability
B) intensity
C) saliency
D) reliability

Question 28

George Gallup was among the first to:

A) Conduct large-scale straw polls
B) Apply scientific techniques to measuring public opinion
C) Use polling as a method of manipulating public opinion
D) Recognize the importance of public opinion in Washington D.C.

Question 29

Informal public opinion surveys date back to the 1820s and the efforts of:

A) College professors
B) Newspapers
C) Military leaders
D) Religious groups

Question 30

Jonathan feels very strongly about his views on the environment but is indifferent about the national deficit. His opinions on the two issues differ in:

A) Saliency
B) Relativity
C) Stability
D) Intensity

Question 31

Laura argues that our government should get more involved in foreign policy issues, while her friend Katherine says that we shouldn't. Their opinions differ in:

A) Saliency
B) Direction
C) Stability
D) Intensity

Question 32

People aren't born with political beliefs and values; they acquire them throughout their lives through the people and institutions that influence them. This process is called:

A) Social relativism
B) Social identification
C) Political efficacy
D) Political socialization

Question 33

People with a college education are more likely than those without a college education to:

A) Lack confidence in their ability to influence government
B) Hold diverse views on political issues
C) Participate actively in politics
D) Know little about politics

Question 34

Political culture can be said to:

A) Stagnate in southern states
B) Vary from state to state
C) Describe the activities of a nation
D) Vary significantly from year to year

Question 35

Political efficacy refers to:

A) How well political programs work
B) Whether politicians do their jobs well
C) The government's ability to influence people
D) The perception of one's ability to influence government

Question 36

Political participation that involves the willful but nonviolent violation of laws regarded as unjust is:

A) Civil disobedience
B) Passive politics
C) Parochial activism
D) More common than just talking politics

Question 37

Polls are MOST likely to be used in:

A) Local city and village council campaigns
B) Noncompetitive elections
C) High-visibility campaigns
D) Campaigns with limited budgets

Question 38

Regarding political party choices, Hispanics are more likely to consider themselves:

A) Nonpolitical
B) Republican
C) Democratic
D) Libertarian

Question 39

Television advertisers play a role in affecting voters by:

A) Giving people unbiased information on political candidates
B) Showing who is the most knowledgeable candidate
C) Targeting programs with large audiences to influence political opinions
D) Convincing some voters that their vote does not matter

Question 40

The Literary Digest made the inaccurate prediction that Alfred Landon would win the presidential election in 1936 because:

A) Their sample included very few people in its dataset.
B) The sample applied improper statistical techniques to the data.
C) Their sample was skewed toward middle- and high-income individuals.
D) The election offered little real choice to voters.

Question 41

The Watergate scandal and the impeachment of President Clinton:

A) Eroded confidence and trust in government
B) Reinforced confidence and trust in government
C) Destroyed belief in representative government
D) Eroded confidence in the court system

Question 42

The average person watches about ____ hours of day of television.

A) two
B) three
C) four
D) five

Question 43

The key to assessing information from political polls accurately is to remember that political public opinion:

A) Takes into account the reality that the information is only 80% accurate
B) Usually is not the norm
C) Represents a "collective" but not necessarily a majority
D) Can usually be counted on to tell you how to vote

Question 44

The percentage of female voters has exceeded the percentage of male voters in every presidential election since:

A) 2000
B) 1996
C) 1992
D) 1980

Question 45

The reality behind American beliefs about democracy and representative government is that most Americans:

A) Have little faith in the democratic and representative system
B) Are proud of our democratic and representative system
C) Question the legitimacy of the political system
D) Question whether our democratic and representative system will survive the twenty-first century

Question 46

The scientific study of public opinion began in the:

A) 1830s
B) 1880s
C) 1930s
D) 1970s

Question 47

The values, beliefs, and traditions that a society shares regarding politics and government are called its political:

A) Opinion
B) Culture
C) Efficacy
D) Socialization

Question 48

Two of the major barriers in voting participation faced by Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans are:

A) Lack of education and financial problems
B) Language problems and low levels of education
C) Lack of transportation and language barriers
D) Residency requirements and financial stress

Question 49

Verba and Nie use the label ____ for persons who immerse themselves in partisan politics and contests rather than community organizations.

A) "parochial activists"
B) "community activists"
C) "campaigners"
D) "voting specialists"

Question 50

Verba and Nie use the label ____ for persons who vote and contact public officials, but only when their own self-interest is involved.

A) "parochial activists"
B) "community activists"
C) "campaigners"
D) "voting specialists"

Question 51

What is meant by the term political culture?

A) The opinions of a bloc of influential voters
B) A group of people who lobby for change
C) The type of behavior shared by those who work in government
D) A society's shared values, beliefs, and traditions about politics and government

Question 52

When pollsters write questions to prompt particular responses, the practice is known as ____ polling.

A) crash
B) parrot
C) puppet
D) push

Question 53

Regarding political views, an overwhelming majority of Americans support:

A) Bipartisan government
B) Libertarianism
C) Direct democracy
D) A democratic form of government

Question 54

When public opinion on an issue changes several times over the period of a month, as measured by public opinion polls, we say that public opinion lacks:

A) Saliency
B) Intensity
C) Stability
D) Relativity

Question 55

Which presidential election marked the first serious political challenge by a woman for the nomination to run for president?

A) The 1924 election
B) The 1964 election
C) The 1972 election
D) The 2008 election

Question 56

Which response BEST reflects the interest of college freshmen in politics?

A) They have a high interest in politics
B) Their interest in politics is similar to that of citizens over the age of 30
C) They have a low interest in politics
D) They discuss politics more than any other age group

Question 57

Which of the following would NOT be an example of political participation?

A) Writing letters to government officials
B) Following campaigns on television
C) Discussing politics with family and friends
D) Refusing to vote because you do not approve of the candidates

Question 58

With respect to the issue of abortion, polls show:

A) A large majority of Americans are opposed to keeping abortion legal
B) A large majority of Americans are in favor of keeping abortion legal
C) Americans are evenly divided on the question of keeping abortion legal
D) Americans are largely uninformed about the issue of abortion

Question 59

Which of the following statements concerning voter turnout in US elections is correct?

A) 2016 was the highest level of voter turnout in 40 years.
B) Turnout has been on a continuous decline that stretches back to the 1960s.
C) Turnout in midterm elections is consistently higher than turnout for presidential elections.
D) Turnout is consistently lower in the US than many other democracies.

Question 60

The African American population is more likely to feel that:

A) The state government often ignores their needs
B) Lawmakers do not listen to their needs
C) Government should not intervene in economic issues
D) Government should help resolve social issues

Question 61

The discussion of the Affordable Care Act in the text demonstrates:

A) Well-informed public opinion
B) Confused public opinion
C) One-sided public opinion
D) Nonpartisan public opinion

Question 62

The myth of the majority opinion assumes that:

A) The majority is always right
B) Politicians should always follow the majority
C) There is a clear majority opinion on most issues
D) The majority of voters are also the majority of the public

Question 63

A voter who picks candidates based on positions on a single issue is focused on:

A) Saliency
B) Concern
C) Knowledge
D) Ideological thinking

Question 64

The frequency with which people change their political opinions is measured through:

A) Saliency
B) Direction
C) Intensity
D) Stability

Question 65

Family is most important in terms of socializing us for:

A) Partisan identification
B) Compliance with the law
C) Patriotism
D) Morality

Question 66

Political socialization:

A) Happens almost entirely before you are 10
B) Continues throughout your adult life
C) Slows down dramatically once you reach adulthood
D) Is a myth

Question 67

The Literary Digest poll was an example of a:

A) Probability sample poll
B) Straw poll
C) Stratified sample poll
D) Tracking poll

Question 68

The survey question, "Most educated Americans support free tuition for all college students-do you?" is an example of:

A) An unbiased question
B) The framing effect
C) A neutral question
D) A truncated question

Question 69

The decline in confidence and trust in government has occurred at the same time as:

A) A rise in cynicism regarding the ethics of politicians
B) Massive economic growth
C) The rise of the Soviet Union
D) The end of World War II

Question 70

According to the 2014 survey cited in the text, which institution of government is the least trusted by the American public?

A) Congress
B) The presidency
C) The courts
D) Local government

Question 71

According to the 2015 survey cited in the text, the percentage of Americans expressing confidence in Congress was:

A) 32%
B) 50%
C) 61%
D) 77%

Question 72

Typically, women are more likely than men to favor:

A) Defense spending
B) A limited role for government
C) An active role for government
D) The death penalty

Question 73

According to the survey cited in the text, approximately ___ of college freshmen favor legalizing same-sex marriage.

A) 30%
B) 50%
C) 80%
D) 90%

Question 74

Men are more likely than women to favor:

A) Cuts in defense spending
B) Stronger environmental laws
C) An active role for government
D) The death penalty

Question 75

Overall, women are more likely than men to favor:

A) Defense spending
B) A limited role for government
C) Stronger environmental laws
D) The death penalty

Question 76

Young voters in the United States are ____ active in the political process compared to young voters in other countries.

A) Consistently less
B) Consistently more
C) Sometimes less
D) Sometimes more

Question 77

Of all of the groups under the umbrella of Hispanic voters, ____ are most likely to identify as Republican voters.

A) Central Americans
B) Mexican Americans
C) Cuban Americans
D) Caribbean Americans

Question 78

According to recent surveys, 75% of Americans believe religion is:

A) Losing its influence on American life
B) Becoming more important in American political life
C) The most important factor for a voter when deciding how to vote
D) A negative influence on politics

Question 79

Verba and Nie use the label ____ for persons who work to solve local problems but do not get involved in political parties.

A) "parochial activists"
B) "community activists"
C) "campaigners"
D) "voting specialists"

Question 80

Verba and Nie use the label ____ for persons who vote in nearly all of the elections they can but are uninvolved in other forms of participation.

A) "parochial activists"
B) "community activists"
C) "campaigners"
D) "voting specialists*"