Question 1

The most salient preferences for individuals' opinions are probably __________ interests.

Accepted Answer

Economic interests tend to be the most salient preferences for individuals' opinions as people are often influenced by factors such as their financial wellbeing, job security, and overall financial stability. Altruistic, environmental, military, and religious interests may also play a role in shaping individuals' opinions, but economic interests tend to be more widely held and influential.

Question 2

During the nineteenth century,a liberal was an individual who favored

Accepted Answer

During the nineteenth century, the term "liberal" was often associated with the idea of individualism and freedom from government control or regulation. Liberals of this time period believed in laissez-faire economics and limited government interference in the economy. They also supported the idea of natural rights for individuals and believed that the government's role should primarily be to protect these rights.

Question 3

In modern parlance,someone who generally supports political and social reform is known as a

Accepted Answer

The term "liberal" is commonly used to describe someone who supports political and social reform, advocating for individual rights, freedom of speech and of the press, equality under the law, and a market-based economy with some government intervention.

Question 4

Which of the following is the most common form of communication between citizens and legislators?

Accepted Answer

E-mail is the most common form of communication between citizens and legislators because it allows for easy and convenient access to legislators' offices and can be sent at any time of day. Telephones require a direct conversation during office hours, and office visits may not always be possible or practical. Telegrams and Snapchat are not commonly used for communicating with legislators.

Question 5

The contemporary political ideology that is generally supportive of political and social reform,extensive governmental intervention in the economy,expansion of federal social services,more vigorous efforts on behalf of the poor and the disadvantaged,and greater concern for consumers and the environment is most accurately characterized as

Accepted Answer

The description given aligns with the political ideology of liberalism, which emphasizes a larger government role in addressing social and economic inequality, protecting individual freedoms, and promoting social justice through policies such as social welfare programs and regulations on corporations to protect the environment and consumers.

Question 6

The term public opinion itself refers to

Accepted Answer

Public opinion cannot be treated as a single entity because it is composed of diverse and sometimes conflicting views held by members of the public. It is important to recognize the diversity and complexity of public opinion in order to understand and effectively address societal issues.

Question 7

The term for the sum of many citizens' views and interests is

Accepted Answer

Public opinion refers to the collective views and interests of a group of people, particularly those of a country or community, on a particular issue or topic. It is arrived at through various means such as surveys, polls, discussions, and media reports. Public opinion plays a crucial role in shaping government policies, decision-making, and accountability.

Question 8

In the United States today,people often describe themselves politically by using the labels

Accepted Answer

The most commonly used political labels in the United States are liberal and conservative, which generally signify a person's stance on social and economic issues. While there are certainly other political labels in use, these are the two most recognized and widely used in American politics.

Question 9

When an employer uses her position of power to influence how others in her social group behave,she is displaying which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The answer of When an employer uses her position of...

Question 10

In social and cultural areas,liberals generally support

Accepted Answer

Liberals generally support a woman's right to choose and have control over their own bodies, so they support abortion rights. They do not support tax cuts for the wealthy, school prayer or strict enforcement of moral standards. Gun control is also generally supported by liberals, so they would not support government subsidies to exercise their Second Amendment rights.

Question 11

Which political group seeks to expand liberty above all other principles and wishes to minimize government intervention in the economy and society?

Accepted Answer

Libertarians seek to expand individual liberty and minimize government intervention in the economy and society. They prioritize personal freedom over government control and regulation.

Question 12

Citizens' attitudes about political issues,leaders,institutions,and events,when added together,are known as

Accepted Answer

The combination of individuals' opinions and views on political matters is known as public opinion. This can encompass a wide variety of topics, such as government policies, elected officials, and current events. While public opinion can be influenced by various factors, including the media and political campaigns, it is an important aspect of a functioning democracy.

Question 13

On most matters that come before the government,the public

Accepted Answer

The public does not hold a single view on most matters that come before the government, and they do not generally have great expertise. There are often differing opinions and perspectives based on various factors such as knowledge, experience, and personal beliefs.

Question 14

An example of a liberal approach to increasing airline safety after 9/11 was to

Accepted Answer

The liberal approach typically involves expanding government roles and responsibilities. Creating a new workforce of federal employees to screen passenger luggage aligns with this approach by increasing government involvement in airline security.

Question 15

Which of the following is a reason political opinions are often economically based?

Accepted Answer

Governments are major employers and their policies on taxes, spending, and regulation directly impact the economy and individuals' financial well-being. Therefore, individuals' economic situations often shape their political attitudes, leading to economically based political opinions.

Question 16

Today in America there is widespread agreement on fundamental political values such as

Accepted Answer

The choices A and C emphasize community support and tradition as fundamental political values, which are not universally agreed upon in America. The choice E includes fraternity, which is not commonly discussed as a fundamental political value in America. The choice B includes liberty and democracy as fundamental political values, which are widely agreed upon, but does not include equality of opportunity, which is also a widely agreed upon value in America. Therefore, the best choice is D, which includes all three widely agreed upon fundamental political values in America: equality of opportunity, liberty, and democracy.

Question 17

In 2001,Congress voted to eliminate the estate tax,which affected the wealthiest 2 percent of the population.Due to an effective lobbying and advertising campaign,what percentage of Americans thought the estate tax affected all Americans?

Accepted Answer

Due to effective lobbying and advertising, a significant portion of Americans, 77 percent, mistakenly believed that the estate tax affected all Americans, not just the wealthiest 2 percent.

Question 18

For liberals,the most important core value is

Accepted Answer

Liberals place the highest value on equality, believing in equal opportunities and equal rights for all individuals regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status. They strive for a society where everyone has an equal chance to succeed and where the gap between the rich and poor is minimized. Other core values for liberals include liberty, justice, and social welfare, but equality is considered the most fundamental value.

Question 19

The process through which underlying beliefs and values are formed is collectively called political

Accepted Answer

The process through which underlying beliefs and values are formed is called political socialization. It involves the acquisition of political attitudes, values, and behaviors through various agents of socialization such as family, peers, media, and education. Political socialization is an ongoing process that shapes an individual's political identity, beliefs, and behaviors throughout their lifetime. It plays a critical role in shaping political culture and the functioning of democratic societies. The other options, such as political maturation, persuasion, development, and indoctrination, may have some role in the process of political socialization, but political socialization is the comprehensive term that encompasses all these processes. Therefore, option C is the best choice.

Question 20

Which term best describes a set of assumptions about the way the world and society work that help us organize our beliefs,information,and new situations?

Accepted Answer

The term ideology refers to a set of assumptions, beliefs, and values that shape our understanding of the world and how it works. It helps us organize our beliefs, information, and new situations by providing a framework within which to make sense of these things. Science is a method of inquiry that focuses on empirical evidence and logical reasoning, rather than assumptions and ideologies. Absolutism refers to a belief in the absolute power or authority of a ruler or government, which is not relevant to this question. Party identification and preferences are related to political behavior, but they do not necessarily provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the world and society as a whole.

Quiz 9: Public Opinion and the Media