Chapter 11, Part 1 Shaping Public Opinion
I. Public Opinion & where it comes from
What do you think about Abortion? Death Penalty? Taxes?
I. Public Opinion & where it comes from What do you think about Abortion? Death Penalty? Taxes? Does your opinion shape public policy?
I. Public Opinion & where it comes from What do you think about Abortion? Death Penalty? Taxes? Does your opinion shape public policy? –The War in Iraq…has public opinion shaped policy?
a. Opinions are like _________, everyone has one.
Public opinion is the total of all the opinions out there on an issue
a. Opinions are like _________, everyone has one. Public opinion is the total of all the opinions out there on an issue Influenced by many factors
a. Opinions are like _________, everyone has one. Public opinion is the total of all the opinions out there on an issue Influenced by many factors –family; shared experiences
a. Opinions are like _________, everyone has one. Public opinion is the total of all the opinions out there on an issue Influenced by many factors –family; shared experiences –Other people; a we grow older, workers, friends, etc
b. Information shapes public opinion b. Information shapes public opinion.
b. Information shapes public opinion The Mass Media; all forms that communicate and transmit information to large groups of people
b. Information shapes public opinion The Mass Media; all forms that communicate and transmit information to large groups of people Books, magazines, newspapers, Rush Limbaugh, Fox News, Internet, etc
b. Information shapes public opinion The Mass Media; all forms that communicate and transmit information to large groups of people Books, magazines, newspapers, Rush Limbaugh, Fox News, Internet, etc Good citizenship means you think critically about what you read, etc.
c. Propaganda and public opinion
Propaganda ideas put fourth to influence people
c. Propaganda and public opinion Propaganda ideas put fourth to influence people –May be the truth, may be a stretch of the truth
c. Propaganda and public opinion Propaganda ideas put fourth to influence people –May be the truth, may be a stretch of the truth d. Hidden Propaganda
c. Propaganda and public opinion Propaganda ideas put fourth to influence people –May be the truth, may be a stretch of the truth d. Hidden Propaganda –Used to fool people
c. Propaganda and public opinion Propaganda ideas put fourth to influence people –May be the truth, may be a stretch of the truth d. Hidden Propaganda –Used to fool people –sources kept a secret –political advertisements
e. Open Propaganda
More common here in the US
e. Open Propaganda More common here in the US Clearly trying to influence
e. Open Propaganda More common here in the US Clearly trying to influence –“Vote for Hillary: She has our best interest at heart!”
e. Open Propaganda More common here in the US Clearly trying to influence –“Vote for Hillary: She has our best interest at heart!” –“Rudy in 2008! Proven leadership”
II. Propaganda Techniques a. Testimonials
II. Propaganda Techniques a. Testimonials Famous People, sports heroes
II. Propaganda Techniques a. Testimonials Famous People, sports heroes Hollywood endorsement of John Kerry
II. Propaganda Techniques a. Testimonials Famous People, sports heroes Hollywood endorsement of John Kerry b. Bandwagon
II. Propaganda Techniques a. Testimonials Famous People, sports heroes Hollywood endorsement of John Kerry b. Bandwagon Say something often enough, loud enough, people will believe it
II. Propaganda Techniques a. Testimonials Famous People, sports heroes Hollywood endorsement of John Kerry b. Bandwagon Say something often enough, loud enough, people will believe it Everyone’s doing it, jump on board
c. Name calling used during campaigns
c. Name calling used during campaigns –Reckless spending, tax scheme
c. Name calling used during campaigns –Reckless spending, tax scheme d. Glittering Generalities
c. Name calling used during campaigns –Reckless spending, tax scheme d. Glittering Generalities Using vague words or ideas –Patriotism, freedom, liberty
e. Plain-folks appeal
Showing themselves as just regular people
e. Plain-folks appeal Showing themselves as just regular people –At home, working in the garage, helping in the community –Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan
e. Plain-folks appeal Showing themselves as just regular people –At home, working in the garage, helping in the community –Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan f. Card Stacking
e. Plain-folks appeal Showing themselves as just regular people –At home, working in the garage, helping in the community –Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan f. Card Stacking Facts that only support their candidate
III. Measuring Public Opinion Public opinion polls
III. Measuring Public Opinion Public opinion polls –to find out what people think
III. Measuring Public Opinion Public opinion polls –to find out what people think –Must use a sample that represents the public
III. Measuring Public Opinion Public opinion polls –to find out what people think –Must use a sample that represents the public Zogby, Nelson, CNN Poll, every news outlet has their own poll
The End