1. Public Opinion and Political Behaviors
Unit IIB
Public Opinion

2. Public Opinion
The attitudes, perceptions, and viewpoints individuals hold about government and politics
Influenced by political culture and political socialization
Skewed by limited political education and efficacy
Shaped by government, interest groups, and mass media

3. Measurement of Public Opinion Development of Polls
Straw Polls
Asked same question to large number of people
Unreliable due to no cross-section of general population
George Gallup’s Ideas
Sampling
Represent general population and randomized
Valid questions
Clear, fair, unbiased, not misleading
Control of poll
Tone of question, basic knowledge of issues
Analysis
Provide sampling errors, show time and place of poll
Exit Polls
Public opinion surveys to determine electoral winners
Push Polls
Misleading poll questions to push a certain choice/candidate/issue

4. Measuring Public Opinion
Public opinion polls are most reliable measurement of public opinion
Measured Qualities
Intensity of beliefs
Real wants and needs
Constant or changing opinions
Consensus or polarized over issues
Reliable?
Who conducts the poll?
What is the sample size? Large sample size? Small sample size?
Population sample? Randomized sample? Representative sample?
Time of poll? Relevant to current issues?
Methodology? Consistent measures?
Sampling error? Low margin of error? Within -/+ 3%?
Clarity of questions? Unbiased? Unambiguous?

5. Sample Poll Examples Do you favor or oppose taxes?
Do you favor or oppose taxes as a means to national security?
Do you favor or oppose Senator Smith, who voted to raise taxes last session?
Do you favor or oppose a state income tax of 7%?

6. Political Trust Government is a “necessary evil”
Major shifts in public opinion with major events
Pearl Harbor
Vietnam
9/11
Hurricane Katrina
Great Recession

7. Confidence in Institutions
American public consistently confident on military
American public consistently pessimistic of Congress

8. Political Ideologies A consistent set of political beliefs
Develop based on economic, political, and social issues
Political ideologies may change over time

9. Political Ideologies Radical Liberal Moderate Conservative Reactionary
Rapid fundamental changes; extreme methods such as revolution
Liberal
Supports political and social reforms; government regulations; minority support; equality
Moderate
More tolerant; shares liberal and conservative beliefs
Conservative
Support social and economic status quo; reluctant for change, and only gradual change; less government; liberty
Reactionary
Return to previous or historical system; extreme methods for accomplishment

10. Political Ideologies Based on Personal and Economics Issues
Pure Liberal
Economic regulation, ensure individual liberties
Tend to be young, college-educated, Jewish or secular
Pure Conservative
No economic regulation, regulate morality
Tend to be older, high incomes, white, Midwest
Libertarians
No economic regulation, ensure individual liberties
Tend to be young, college-educated, white, higher incomes, secular, West
Populists
Economic regulation, regulate morality
Tend to be older, poor education, low-income, religious, female, South/Midwest

12. World’s Smallest Political Quiz