Question 1

In today's political climate, women are more likely than men to

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that women are more likely than men to vote, with higher voter turnout among women in most elections. While women have made significant strides in running for and holding political office, they still remain underrepresented in these areas. Women are also more likely than men to contact political leaders and contribute to political causes, but these factors are less universal and influenced by a variety of variables.

Question 2

Which of the following instances BEST exemplifies the "free rider" problem?

Accepted Answer

The "free rider" problem refers to individuals benefiting from a public good without contributing to its provision. In this case, citizens who enjoy the benefits of a democratic system without actively participating in the democratic process are essentially "free riding" on the contributions of others who do participate.

Question 3

________ is an individual's belief that his or her activities will influence what the government will do or who will win an election.

Accepted Answer

External political efficacy refers to an individual's belief that their actions can influence government decisions or election outcomes.

Question 4

Psychological predisposition toward or interest in politics defines

Accepted Answer

The answer of Psychological predisposition toward or interest in politics...

Question 5

Cross-cultural studies show that political engagement is impacted by

Accepted Answer

Cross-cultural studies have shown that income inequality has a significant impact on political engagement. In countries with higher income inequality, there tends to be lower levels of political participation and voter turnout. This can be attributed to a sense of hopelessness or disillusionment among individuals who feel disconnected from the political process and believe that their vote does not matter.

Question 6

Which of the following acts is generally the LEAST effective means by which individual citizens can make their political views apparent to political officials?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following acts is generally...

Question 7

What are the three conditions necessary for political participation?

Accepted Answer

The three necessary conditions for political participation are having the resources to participate (such as time, money, and information), having an interest in the political process, and having been asked to participate through outreach or mobilization efforts. Membership in a party is not necessary for participation.

Question 8

Which of the following political activities has the highest capacity for a citizen to convey political information?

Accepted Answer

Serving on a local board allows a citizen to actively participate in discussions, decisions, and policy-making processes, providing a direct platform for conveying political information and influencing outcomes.

Question 9

According to the rational actor theory,

Accepted Answer

Rational actor theory suggests that individuals make decisions based on a cost-benefit analysis. Voting in a presidential race often presents a scenario where the perceived cost (time, effort) outweighs the individual benefit (influence on the outcome), leading a rational actor to likely decide against voting, especially considering the low probability of a single vote determining the outcome.

Question 10

Which of the following qualities is the best predictor of political participation?

Accepted Answer

Education is the best predictor of political participation as studies have consistently shown that individuals who have a higher level of education are more likely to participate in politics, such as voting, attending public meetings, and contacting elected officials. This may be because higher education levels lead to increased political knowledge and efficacy, which in turn encourages individuals to engage in political activities. Other factors, such as religion, race, economic status, and gender, have been shown to have some correlation with political participation, but education has the strongest relationship.

Question 11

Across most types of political activity, participation rates by Hispanics

Accepted Answer

According to research, Hispanics have lower participation rates in political activities compared to both blacks and whites.

Question 12

Around what date did the major barriers to voting, such as property ownership, race and gender, finally fall, allowing nearly all adult citizens to vote without fear or legal restriction?

Accepted Answer

The major barriers to voting, such as property ownership, race, and gender, were finally addressed and removed with the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This landmark legislation sought to eliminate the discriminatory practices that prevented African Americans and other minority groups from fully exercising their right to vote, such as literacy tests and poll taxes. Prior to the passage of this act, many states and localities employed a variety of tactics to disenfranchise certain groups of voters, including discriminatory voter registration requirements and gerrymandering. While there have been ongoing efforts since then to protect and expand voting rights, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a critical turning point in the fight for universal suffrage in the United States.

Question 13

Which type of political participation is MOST likely to get the attention of a politician?

Accepted Answer

A large campaign contribution is most likely to get the attention of a politician because it directly supports their campaign efforts and can influence their ability to reach voters and win elections.

Question 14

________ is an attribute of political participants that is measured by one's concern for an election outcome and the positions of the candidates on the issues.

Accepted Answer

Political interest is measured by one's concern for an election outcome and the positions of the candidates on the issues. Internal and external political efficacy refer to one's belief in their ability to influence politics and the government, respectively. Political information refers to the knowledge one has about politics and issues. Political engagement encompasses a range of activities such as voting, volunteering, and protesting.

Question 15

Which of the following political activities requires access to the most varying types of resources (i.e., time, money, skills)?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following political activities requires...

Question 16

Which of the following is true regarding trends in political participation?

Accepted Answer

Women have been voting at higher rates than men in recent decades, a trend observed in many democratic countries. This shift reflects broader changes in societal norms and the increasing political engagement of women.

Question 17

________ is an individual's confidence in his or her ability to understand and participate in politics.

Accepted Answer

Internal political efficacy refers to an individual's belief in their personal ability to understand and participate in politics. External political efficacy refers to an individual's belief in the responsiveness of the political system. Political information, political engagement, and political interest are related concepts but do not specifically refer to an individual's confidence in their own ability to participate in politics.

Question 18

Considering that places of worship can enhance civic skills, which of the following might explain why Hispanics, who generally attend Catholic congregations, are less active in civic life than are African American Protestants of similar economic means?

Accepted Answer

Catholic institutions often have a more hierarchical structure, offering fewer opportunities for lay members to take on leadership roles compared to Protestant congregations, which can limit the development of civic skills and engagement.

Question 19

Which of the following instances BEST exemplifies the concept of BUYcotting?

Accepted Answer

Buycotting involves actively choosing to purchase from companies or businesses that align with one's ethical or political beliefs, as opposed to boycotting, which involves avoiding certain companies. Walking out of one's way to support a café that serves free-range eggs is an example of buycotting.

Question 20

Which of the following statements about race and political participation is MOST accurate?

Accepted Answer

Black and white citizens generally participate at higher levels than Hispanic citizens, due to various socio-economic and historical factors affecting political engagement.

Quiz 7: Political Participation: Equal Opportunities and Unequal Voices