Political Socialization and Public Opinion Quiz

What are the variables that help determine the likelihood of support for the Republican Party?

Religion and frequency of church attendance

Since 1960's, the Republican Party has received of the most consistent voting support from which region in the U.S?

The Southeast

Population

The group of people whose opinions are of interest and/or about whom information is desired

Generational Effect

The impact of an important external event in shaping the views of a generation

Gender Gap

The measurable difference in the way women and men vote for candidates and in the way they view political issues

Political Socialization

The process by which we develop our political values and opinions

What is a true statement about gender and political participation?

Women are more likely to be supportive of the Democratic Party than men.

Quota Sample

a method by which pollsters structure a sample so that it is representative of the characteristics of the target population

Straw Poll

a poll conducted in an unscientific manner, used to predict election outcomes

Stratified Sampling

a process of random sampling in which the national population is divided into fourths and certain areas within these regions are selected as representative of the national population

Random Sampling

a scientific method of selection in which each member of the population has an equal chance of being included in the sample

Push Polls

a special type of poll that both attempts to skew public opinion about a candidate and provides information to campaigns about candidate strengths and weaknesses

Sampling Error

a statistical calculation of the difference in results between a poll of a randomly drawn sample and a poll of the entire population

Public Opinion Poll

a survey of a given population's opinion on as issue or a candidate at a particular point in time

What is a strong determinant of political engagement ?

higher levels of education

Agents of Socialization

the individuals, organizations, and institutions that facilitate the acquisition of political views

Public Opinion

the public's expressed views about an issue at a specific point in time

What is not true about public opinion and scientific polling?

A valid scientific poll must ask neutral questions so as to not bias the respondent.

what are the typically loyal supporters of the Democratic Party?

African-Americans

Example question of what would appear on a push poll:

Do you approve of the waste of money on failing social service agencies under gov

What are the agents for political socialization?

Family, media, religion, school,political leaders, peer groups, community leaders

Millennials' political socialization was colored by the 9/11 attack by al-Qaeda terrorist, showing most clearly which effect on the formation of political views?

Generational Effect

What is considered to be the most reliable predictor of a person's voting preference?

Leven of education

What is necessary for a public opinion poll to be valid?

Poll must have a low margin error

Exit Polls

Polls conducted at polling places on Election Day to project the winner of an election before polls close

Tracking Polls

Polls that measure changes in public opinion over the course of days, weeks, or months by repeatedly asking respondents the same questions and measuring changes in their responses.

Which trait makes measuring public opinion in America complex?

Low level of political knowledge