1. PUBLIC OPINION

2. The collection of attitudes and views held by the general public
What is Public Opinion?
The collection of attitudes and views held by the general public

3. The Problem of Defining Public Opinion
Very difficult to assess-
Public is uninformed
Public changes its mind
Problems with polling techniques

5. Measuring Public Opinion
George Gallup - Father of polling - belief in common man’s ideas

6. Steps in taking a poll 1. Define your universe 2. Random sample
3. Wording of questions
Comprehensible
Asked fairly
Answer categories

8. 4. Margin of error
Less than 5% is considered a good survey

10. Origins of Political Attitudes
The process of political socialization
1. Family
2. School
3. Peers
4. Media
5. Religion

12. Politics, like other aspects of life, is learned behavior.
All of these factors help create public opinion

14. What do liberalism and conservatism mean?
Differ on the role of government
Differ on social problems
Liberals advocate gov’t action to assist the disadvantage – Social programs
Differ on economic issues
Conservatives believe regulations involve undue interference with the market economy
Differ on social issues
Trade positions on the role of gov’t. Ex. abortion

15. Table 5.4: African American and White Opinion

16. Table 5.2: The Gender Gap: Differences in Political Views of Men and Women