Public Opinion & Voter Behavior Practice Test Review - 4 Public Opinion & Voter Behavior

1) The least important agent in modeling public opinion among the young would probably be a. Older family members b. School curriculum c. Peer group pressure d. Socio-economic groups e. Religious role models

1) The least important agent in modeling public opinion among the young would probably be a. Older family members b. School curriculum c. Peer group pressure d. Socio-economic groups e. Religious role models

2) Media influence on the formation of public opinion has been criticized for all of the following reasons EXCEPT a. Oversimplification of complicated issues b. Reducing major speeches to brief sound bites c. Biased presentations d. Heightening general interest in public issues e. Focusing on the trivial and the sensational

2) Media influence on the formation of public opinion has been criticized for all of the following reasons EXCEPT a. Oversimplification of complicated issues b. Reducing major speeches to brief sound bites c. Biased presentations d. Heightening general interest in public issues e. Focusing on the trivial and the sensational

3) All of the following are characteristics of public opinion EXCEPT a. It reflects the attitudes of a majority of the population b. It involves attitudes about public issues c. It influences the decisions of public officials d. It is measured by pollsters e. It is an important component of any society

3) All of the following are characteristics of public opinion EXCEPT a. It reflects the attitudes of a majority of the population b. It involves attitudes about public issues c. It influences the decisions of public officials d. It is measured by pollsters e. It is an important component of any society

4) Both the Republican & Democratic Parties a 4) Both the Republican & Democratic Parties a. Appeal mainly to conservative voters b. Appeal principally to liberals c. Are based on clearly defined ideologies d. Usually embrace a moderate approach to solving society’s problems e. Eschew a pragmatic approach to problem solving

4) Both the Republican & Democratic Parties a 4) Both the Republican & Democratic Parties a. Appeal mainly to conservative voters b. Appeal principally to liberals c. Are based on clearly defined ideologies d. Usually embrace a moderate approach to solving society’s problems e. Eschew a pragmatic approach to problem solving

5) A propaganda device in which a candidate advertises an endorsement from a celebrity figure is called a. “the band -wagon approach” b. “the testimonial” c. “a glittering generality” d. “the plain-folks technique” e. “name-calling”

5) A propaganda device in which a candidate advertises an endorsement from a celebrity figure is called a. “the band -wagon approach” b. “the testimonial” c. “a glittering generality” d. “the plain-folks technique” e. “name-calling”

6) Which of the following generalizations is true of the American electorate? a. Voter indifference is always an indication of dissatisfaction with public officials b. Participation in the political process is on the rise c. Party identification is insignificant in explaining why Americans vote as they do d. Some voters use a “litmus test” with reference to a single critical issue to determine whom they will support e. Young people vote in large numbers because they have a comparatively greater amount of free time than middle-age voters

6) Which of the following generalizations is true of the American electorate? a. Voter indifference is always an indication of dissatisfaction with public officials b. Participation in the political process is on the rise c. Party identification is insignificant in explaining why Americans vote as they do d. Some voters use a “litmus test” with reference to a single critical issue to determine whom they will support e. Young people vote in large numbers because they have a comparatively greater amount of free time than middle-age voters

7) Which of the following amendments to the Constitution outlawed the poll tax in federal elections? a. The Twenty-Sixth b. The Twenty-Fourth c. The Twenty-Third d. The Fourteenth e. The Twenty-Fifth

7) Which of the following amendments to the Constitution outlawed the poll tax in federal elections? a. The Twenty-Sixth b. The Twenty-Fourth c. The Twenty-Third d. The Fourteenth e. The Twenty-Fifth

8) Which of the following factors is probably most significant in determining how an individual will vote in a presidential election? a. Occupation b. Income Level c. Party Loyalty d. Geography e. Religion

8) Which of the following factors is probably most significant in determining how an individual will vote in a presidential election? a. Occupation b. Income Level c. Party Loyalty d. Geography e. Religion

9) The principle reason why eighteen year olds were enfranchised in 1971 was a. Universal education b. The Vietnam War c. Higher income levels d. Availability of information via the electronic media e. The civil rights movement

9) The principle reason why eighteen year olds were enfranchised in 1971 was a. Universal education b. The Vietnam War c. Higher income levels d. Availability of information via the electronic media e. The civil rights movement

10) What is a limitation of using an election to interpret public opinion? a. Politicians run campaigns to win votes b. Interest groups mobilize voters c. Different voters will vote for the same candidate for different reasons d. Voters express nonattitudes e. People who vote are only a random sample

10) What is a limitation of using an election to interpret public opinion? a. Politicians run campaigns to win votes b. Interest groups mobilize voters c. Different voters will vote for the same candidate for different reasons d. Voters express nonattitudes e. People who vote are only a random sample

11) A person’s party identification a 11) A person’s party identification a. Is typically acquired during childhood b. Is measured by that person’s voter registration c. Is the formal membership in a party organization d. Typically changes when there is a popular candidate in the other party e. Is rarely relevant to that person’s political behaviors

11) A person’s party identification a 11) A person’s party identification a. Is typically acquired during childhood b. Is measured by that person’s voter registration c. Is the formal membership in a party organization d. Typically changes when there is a popular candidate in the other party e. Is rarely relevant to that person’s political behaviors

That’s it, for now.