Question 1

The process by which we learn our political orientations and allegiances is called political adherence.

Accepted Answer

The correct term for the process by which we learn our political orientations and allegiances is political socialization.

Question 2

Compared to other industrialized nations,the United States ranks in the top five percent in voter participation.

Accepted Answer

The United States actually ranks lower in voter participation compared to other industrialized nations, with a participation rate that hovers around 50-60% in presidential elections. This puts the US behind several other countries in terms of voter turnout, such as Belgium, Sweden, and Denmark.

Question 3

Which of the following statements concerning sampling bias is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

Pollsters are generally aware of the problem of sampling bias and take steps to minimize it.

Question 4

Which of the following statements concerning technology and polling is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

Autodialing does not specifically overcome the challenges posed by the increasing reliance on cell phones for polling. The main issue with cell phones is the difficulty in obtaining a representative sample, as laws and regulations, such as those requiring consent to be called, complicate the use of autodialing for reaching cell phone users. Autodialing is more effective with landlines, and the shift towards cell phone usage requires pollsters to find alternative methods to reach and survey a representative sample of the population.

Question 5

The danger of majority tyranny in a democracy most likely would result from ______.

Accepted Answer

Majority tyranny results when the majority applies undue pressure and control over minorities, which can happen when majority rule is not balanced by discussion and debate.

Question 6

Tracking polls are significant because they ______.

Accepted Answer

Tracking polls are designed to measure changes in public opinion over time, often on a daily basis. This makes them important for detecting shifts in voter attitudes and preferences that other polls cannot capture. They are particularly useful for political campaigns, which can use the data to adjust their strategies based on feedback from the electorate. However, tracking polls have also been criticized for their potential to be misleading or unreliable, especially when they are conducted too frequently or with small sample sizes.

Question 7

A survey question such as "How many times in the past few months have you used drugs?" is problematic because ______.

Accepted Answer

The question is ambiguous and loaded because it does not specify what is considered a drug, what time period constitutes "past few months," and carries a negative connotation towards drug use, which could bias the respondent's answer.

Question 8

The process by which a majority opinion becomes exaggerated because minorities do not feel comfortable speaking out in opposition is called the spiral of silence.

Accepted Answer

The process of the majority opinion becoming exaggerated because minorities do not feel comfortable speaking out in opposition is indeed known as the spiral of silence.

Question 9

Good survey questions meet all of the following criteria EXCEPT this one:

Accepted Answer

While short and concise questions are ideal for survey questions, they do not need to always be short in order to be effective. The other criteria listed are necessary for good survey questions.

Question 10

If you are to be a critical watcher of polls,among the issues of concern are all of the following EXCEPT this:

Accepted Answer

Whether or not the poll agrees with your position should not be a concern as a critical watcher of polls. Objectivity is key in analyzing the validity and reliability of poll results.

Question 11

The authors conclude that,in general,the accuracy of election polls is ______.

Accepted Answer

The article states that while polling errors may occur, the accuracy of election polls is generally quite good.

Question 12

A citizen's ability to hold democratic beliefs,including the acceptance that politics is about compromise,is called ______.

Accepted Answer

Democratic enlightenment refers to a citizen's ability to understand and uphold democratic values such as compromise, tolerance, and accountability. It involves a level of education, awareness, and engagement in political issues and processes.

Question 13

According to the text,the current process of political socialization in the United States trains us to support and obey the existing political system.

Accepted Answer

The text states that the current process of political socialization in the United States "works to reproduce and reinforce societal values, including support for and obedience to the existing political system."

Question 14

Internet polls are ______.

Accepted Answer

Internet polls suffer from a number of issues that make them unreliable, including self-selection bias, small sample sizes, and lack of representativeness of the population. They are also susceptible to manipulation through bots and other means. Therefore, they should not be relied upon as trustworthy measures of public opinion.

Question 15

Which of the following statements concerning exit polls is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

Exit polls are not a form of pseudo-poll. They are real polls taken from people who have just voted and are intended to provide information for analyzing the results of an election. However, their use in declaring winners in national elections has been controversial due to their mixed record.

Question 16

A survey question such as,"Do you support or oppose being allowed to take the Lifetime Learning Credit during years in which you pay for postsecondary education with a distribution from an education IRA?" is problematic because ______.

Accepted Answer

The question is problematic because it is likely that few people have thought about the specific issue of taking the Lifetime Learning Credit while using distributions from an education IRA, making it difficult for respondents to have a well-formed opinion.

Question 17

The gender gap is especially large on issues of ______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The gender gap is especially large on...

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT true regarding polling?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is NOT true...

Question 19

Public opinion pollsters will often ask respondents their opinions on complex issues and public policies.Research indicates these questions are most likely used to ______.

Accepted Answer

Research shows that when public opinion pollsters ask respondents about complex issues or policies, they often end up asking individuals to express opinions on topics they might not be fully informed about or understand completely. This can lead to responses that don't accurately reflect informed public opinion.

Question 20

A plebiscite is a popular vote on national policy issues.

Accepted Answer

A plebiscite is indeed a popular vote on national policy issues, where the entire electorate of a country is invited to vote on a particular proposal or issue.

Quiz 11: Public Opinion