The Formation of Public Opinion US Government Mr. Stroman

What is Public Opinion? Despite the conventional wisdom, “the public” holds many differing and often conflicting views about political issues. Not many issues capture the attention of all, or even most, Americans Public opinion includes only those views that relate to public affairs, which are those events and issues that concern the people at large.

Public Opinion Defined Those attitudes held by a significant number of people on matters of government and politics. Better understood in the plural, as the opinions of different groups of people Can take the form of votes, protests, films, billboards, and other stuff

Family & Education We looked at political socialization in Chapter 6, and that of course plays a huge role in the shaping of public opinon. We’re going to take a closer look at some specific agents of political socialization

Family The attitudes and values your parents instill in you inform your political opinions later in life. Family has such a strong influence on someone’s opinions because of the near- monopoly the family has on a child in his or her earliest and most impressionable years.

School Schools teach the values of the American political system, to instill young children with loyalty to a particular cause or idea. Much informal learning occurs in schools as well, such as lessons about similarities and differences between groups, how decisions can be made, and compromise. The older you get, the more specific political opinions you acquire.

Mass Media Mass media are those means of communication that reach large, widely dispersed audiences TV, radio, newspapers, Internet, magazines

Other Factors Peer groups, or those with whom one regularly associates. – Usually reinforces opinions already formed Opinion leaders, or people who exert a strong influence on the views of others Historic events can have a huge impact on the opinions of large numbers of people.

Assignment I want you to read or listen to the views of a recognized opinion leader on a particular topic. List both supporting and opposing arguments for the leader’s point of view on an issue and summarize your reactions to the leader’s views.

Opinion leaders to choose from (must be one of these): Megan McArdleMaureen Dowd Mark McKinnonKarl Rove Charles KrauthammerRon Klain George Will Eugene Robinson Start in class, finish at home. Anyone I see not working on task in class will have points deducted from their grade on this assignment.