1. Shaping Public Opinion
Chapter 11 Section 1.1 Pages

2. What is Public Opinion?
Public opinion- the total of the opinions held concerning a particular issue
The term “public opinion” really refers to many opinions

3. What Shapes Opinions?
Opinions are shaped by influences from many sources
Family
Friends
Teachers
Clubs
Information

4. Mass Media
Much of the information we need to make wise decisions about public issues comes from mass media
Mass media is made up of various forms of communication that transmit information to large numbers of people

5. Inaccurate Information
Often times news programs, newspapers, radio shows, internet sites etc… become one-sided when they allow the information they present to be swayed by their opinion
Effective citizenship requires us to think critically about what we see, hear, and read

6. Propaganda and Public Opinion
Many ideas in the mass media are directed at us for a purpose; to get us to think or act a certain way, buy or believe something.
Propaganda- ideas that are spread to influence people

8. Concealed Propaganda
When it is presented as being factual and its sources are kept secret
Used to fool people without letting them know its purpose is to influence their views

9. Revealed Propaganda
Makes readers or listeners aware that someone is trying to influence them
Almost all advertisements in America are revealed propaganda

10. Links Republican Tee Shirts Clinton Phone Video Inconvenient Truth
Democrat Tee Shirts
Nike
Twix
Pepsi