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Public Opinion and Political Socialization: Shaping the People’s Voice
Chapter 6
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The Nature of Public Opinion
Public opinion: opinions of citizens that are openly stated How informed is public opinion? Selective political interests Quality of services vs. cost © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.
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The Nature of Public Opinion
How informed is public opinion? Well-informed vs. misinformed Objective opinions vs. subjective opinions © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.
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The Nature of Public Opinion
The measurement of public opinion Measures public opinion using sample(s) Samples estimation of population’s views Population: citizens of a nation or group © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.
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The Nature of Public Opinion
Problems with Polls Sampling error Poorly worded questions Non-opinions © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.
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Political Socialization: How Americans Learn Their Politics
Political socialization process Childhood learning is paramount Process is cumulative Young more likely than old to switch parties © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.
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Political Socialization: How Americans Learn Their Politics
Political socialization agents Family Media Schools Peers Political institutions and leaders Religious institutions © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.
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Frames of Reference: How Americans Think Politically
Cultural thinking: common ideas Ideological thinking: the outlook of some Liberal Conservative Populists Libertarians © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.
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Frames of Reference: How Americans Think Politically
Group thinking: outlook of many Religion Class Region Race and ethnicity Gender Age Crosscutting cleavages © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.
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Frames of Reference: How Americans Think Politically
Partisan thinking: line that divides Party identification emotional loyalty to a political party Identification is stable and seldom changes over time Leads to subjective opinions about new issues © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.
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Influence of Public Opinion on Policy
Public opinion guides elected officials’ actions Public opinion Can become an issue in an election Can be changed Can be activated Can be crystallized © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.
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