Question 1

Nathan recently participated in a public opinion poll.Now he is thinking back on some of the questions he was asked and how he responded.Nathan thinks he recognizes evidence of a halo effect in one of his replies.Which of the following yes-or-no questions is most likely to have produced it?

Accepted Answer

The question on sexually explicit magazines being excluded from check-out lanes is likely to produce a halo effect because it carries a moral connotation. Some respondents may feel the need to answer in a socially desirable way, regardless of their actual opinion. Therefore, Nathan might have answered "yes" or "no" based on the perceived morality of the question rather than his actual beliefs.

Question 2

Children who abandon the political party of their parents tend to become __________.

Accepted Answer

Children who abandon the political party of their parents tend to become independents, as they may reject the beliefs and values associated with their parents' party and seek a more individualized political identity. While some may choose to align with a different party, many choose to remain independent and not affiliate with any particular party.

Question 3

When the networks agreed not to use exit polls to call elections in a state until the polls in that state closed,they were responding to the criticism that early calls __________.

Accepted Answer

Early calls can reduce voter turnout, as voters may feel that their vote doesn't matter if the race has already been called. This criticism was one of the reasons why the networks agreed not to use exit polls to call elections until the polls in that state closed.

Question 4

According to the data depicted in Figure 5.1 (Cause for Concern?: What Americans [Don't] Know About Politics),what percentage of Americans can name the chief justice of the U.S.Supreme Court?

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is about 10 percent, indicating a low level of public knowledge regarding the identity of the chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Question 5

More than two-thirds of Americans report that they receive "all or most" of their political information from which source?

Accepted Answer

According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in 2019, 67% of Americans report receiving "all or most" of their political news from television.

Question 6

A salient issue is one that __________.

Accepted Answer

A salient issue is one that people think about most.

Question 7

Your American government class is discussing political socialization.The professor asks you to reflect on your earliest memory of an experience that demonstrates diffuse support for the American political system.What might your answer be?

Accepted Answer

Learning the Pledge of Allegiance is a common early experience in American schools, which reinforces the idea of loyalty to the country and a sense of unity under the American political system.

Question 8

Which of the following groups of people has the least influence on elected officials when those officials are considering specific changes to government policies?

Accepted Answer

The public generally has the least influence on elected officials compared to commentators, reporters, and interest groups because the public is typically less organized and has less resources to lobby or advocate for specific policy changes. Elected officials are more likely to listen to interest groups and other organized stakeholders who can provide them with political support or campaign contributions. Commentators and reporters can also have some influence through their ability to shape public opinion and media coverage of political issues.

Question 9

Of the following,who is MOST likely to hold the most liberal political views?

Accepted Answer

Generally, individuals tend to become more liberal as they progress through higher levels of education. Therefore, Cara, as a college senior, is more likely to hold the most liberal political views.

Question 10

How do political scientists define political socialization?

Accepted Answer

Political scientists define political socialization as the process through which individuals acquire political values, beliefs, and opinions. This includes the influence of family, education, media, and other societal factors on an individual's political development.

Question 11

When white voters who participate in public opinion polls understate their opposition to minority candidates,what is said to occur?

Accepted Answer

The Bradley effect refers to a phenomenon where white voters who participate in public opinion polls understate their opposition towards minority candidates. The term was coined after Tom Bradley, an African-American candidate who lost the 1982 California gubernatorial race, despite leading in the polls before the election. It is thought to occur due to social desirability bias, where respondents are more likely to give socially accepted answers rather than revealing their true opinions.

Question 12

Which of these things is obscured by the halo effect?

Accepted Answer

The halo effect is a cognitive bias where an individual's positive characteristics or reputation overshadow their negative traits. This means that socially objectionable opinions may be overlooked or forgiven because of the individual's overall positive image.

Question 13

After reading about the challenges of conducting accurate surveys in the feature entitled "The Game,the Rules,the Players," which of the following questions do you think is intentionally worded to skew survey results?

Accepted Answer

The use of the phrase "generation after generation" may lead respondents to feel that the question is targeting a specific group of people rather than asking about welfare assistance in general. This could affect their response and skew the survey results. The other questions do not contain language that is likely to bias the results.

Question 14

The term diffuse support refers to the __________.

Accepted Answer

Diffuse support refers to the fundamental, deep-seated goodwill toward governmental authority that individuals typically learn early in their lives, reflecting a basic trust in the system and its legitimacy, rather than opinions on specific policies or issues.

Question 15

What research method involves gathering data about public opinion by questioning a representative sample of the population?

Accepted Answer

Survey research involves gathering data by questioning a representative sample of the population to gather insights and opinions about a particular topic. This research method is widely used in social sciences, political analysis, and marketing research. It helps to understand people's attitudes, behavior, preferences, and opinions on various issues.

Question 16

What is the principal effect of television on public opinion?

Accepted Answer

Television has a significant impact on public opinion by setting the agenda for what people think and talk about in politics. News coverage and political commentary on television can influence the salience of issues and shape public opinion on specific topics. However, it is not necessarily about persuading people to take one side or telling them what to think, but about defining what issues are important and relevant to the public discourse. While new modes of political thinking and perspectives can emerge through television, they may not necessarily become dominant or universally accepted.

Question 17

Public opinion has the least impact on the decisions of members of Congress regarding which of the following policy or legislative issues?

Accepted Answer

Legislation like the exception to the annual privacy notice requirement in the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act is highly technical and specific, often flying under the radar of the general public. Thus, public opinion is less likely to influence Congressional decisions on such specialized and less publicly discussed matters compared to more visible and broadly impactful issues like tax increases, unemployment insurance, or education reform.

Question 18

Of the following,which does the textbook identify as the first agent of socialization?

Accepted Answer

The textbook identifies family as the first agent of socialization, as children typically spend the most time with their family members during their early years and are heavily influenced by their family's values and beliefs.

Question 19

The wording of questions in surveys is a central concern because how a question is worded can __________.

Accepted Answer

The wording of questions in surveys can have a significant impact on the results obtained. Poorly worded questions can lead to biased or incomplete survey results, which can in turn lead to inaccurate conclusions being drawn. Skewed survey results can occur when a question is worded in such a way that it favors one potential answer over others, or when it is framed in a way that makes it more difficult for people to provide honest or accurate responses. Therefore, choosing the right wording for survey questions is critical for obtaining reliable and valid data.

Question 20

Many public opinion researchers have a background in __________.

Accepted Answer

Public opinion research involves understanding and analyzing large amounts of data related to consumer behavior, attitudes, and preferences. People with a background in marketing have the skills and knowledge to conduct surveys, analyze data, and develop insights into consumer behavior. They are also familiar with the techniques used to segment audiences and target specific groups with messages or products. While individuals with backgrounds in theology, biology, or engineering may have skills that are useful in public opinion research, marketing is the most directly applicable field of study.

Quiz 5: Opinion and Participation: Thinking and Acting in Politics