Pols Chp 5 and 6
Individuals with home high-speed internet access and the technology and literacy skills to use it are called pro-sumers. digital citizens. news aggregators. online natives.
digital citizens.
Libertarianism is a political ideology that argues that governments are inherently repressive and should be abolished entirely. argues that a single ruler should have total control over every aspect of people's lives. argues for the need to place strict limitations on voting rights and civil liberties. emphasizes freedom and voluntary association with small government.
emphasizes freedom and voluntary association with small government.
Which of the following was a federal regulation executed by the Federal Communications Commission but that is no longer maintained? fairness doctrine equal time rule right of rebuttal partisan fairness standard
fairness doctrine FEEDBACK: For many years, an important federal regulation was the fairness doctrine. Under this doctrine, broadcasters who aired programs on controversial issues were required to provide time for opposing views. In 1985, however, the FCC stopped enforcing the fairness doctrine on the grounds that there were so many radio and television stations - to say nothing of newspapers and newsmagazines - that in all likelihood many different viewpoints were already being presented without each station being required to try to present all sides of an argument
A widely circulated story during the 2016 presidential election stating that the Pope had endorsed Donald Trump for president was a good example of fake news. adversarial journalism. yellow journalism. nonprofit journalism.
fake news
The fact that Americans strongly support minimal governmental interference with individuals' lives and property illustrates their commitment to anarchy. democracy. liberty. socialism.
liberty
Among other freedoms in the United States, freedom of the press is protected by Article I of the Constitution. the Declaration of Independence. the First Amendment of the Constitution. the Freedom of the Press Act of 1790.
the First Amendment of the Constitution.
Which of the following news sources reaches the MOST Americans? radio television the internet newspapers
television
Normally, samples of how many people are considered sufficient for accurately measuring public opinion through the use of surveys? 1,000 100 10,000 100,000
1000 FEEDBACK: Normally, samples of 1,000 people are considered sufficient for accurately measuring public opinion through the use of surveys. A "scientific poll" refers to a poll that uses at least 1,000 respondents (among other criteria).
_____ of adults get their political news from Facebook and Twitter. 30% 40% 60% 90%
60% FEEDBACK: In 2015, 1 in 10 Americans found political news on Twitter, 4 in 10 on Facebook, and 3 in 4 used social media of some sort - platforms that did not exist before 2000. Traditional media such as newspapers and television must also compete with digital-only media that tailor news to their readers and viewers.
_____ is a type of reporting in which the media adopts a skeptical or even hostile posture toward the government and public officials, such as occurred during the Vietnam War. Adversarial journalism Ad hoc journalism Inquisitional journalism Citizen journalism
Adversarial journalism FEEDBACK: The political power of the news media vis-à-vis the government has greatly increased in recent years through the growing prominence of adversarial journalism, a form of reporting in which the media adopt a skeptical or even hostile posture toward the government and public officials.
____ refers to the power of the media to bring public attention to particular issues and problems. Selection bias Partisan politics Agenda-setting Media fatigue
Agenda-setting FEEDBACK: Agenda-setting is the power of the media to bring public attention to particular issues and problems. The media can declare something to be an issue or problem worthy of focus, or dismiss it for lack of media appeal, thereby sending it out of the public consciousness.
______ is the type of journalism that includes news reporting and political commentary by ordinary citizens and even crisis coverage from eyewitnesses on the scene. Objective journalism Individual journalism Personal journalism Citizen journalism
Citizen journalism FEEDBACK: A distinguishing feature of the digital media is citizen journalism, which is interactive and participatory. Citizen journalism includes news reporting and political commentary by ordinary citizens and even crisis coverage from eyewitnesses on the scene. Because it involves a wider range of voices in gathering news and interpreting political events, contemporary news reporting and commentary are more democratic. Magnifying the power of the Internet is the near-universal availability of cameras on cell phones, which gives millions of Americans the capacity to photograph or film events. At the same time, social media and YouTube permit users to upload videos that can be viewed by hundreds of thousands of subscribers or relayed by the mainstream media for even wider dissemination.
Which of the following statements about education as an agent of political socialization is accurate? Government has traditionally prevented itself from taking part in political socialization through public education. Education has proven to be a strong predictor of tolerance for racial minorities. College graduates are more likely than other Americans to be associated with greater involvement in politics. College graduates are less likely to take part in political protests than other Americans.
College graduates are more likely than other Americans to be associated with greater involvement in politics. FEEDBACK: One of the major differences between college graduates and other Americans is that higher levels of education are associated with greater involvement in politics. College graduates are more likely to vote, join campaigns, take part in protests, and generally make their voices heard.
Symbolic of the digital age, President Obama used which platforms for public communications? television and radio addresses newspapers and magazines face to face interaction Facebook and Twitter
Facebook and Twitter FEEDBACK: Obama's White House was unique in using digital media and social media to promote the president's policy agenda. Facebook posts promoted his policies and served to personalize the president. Obama was especially adept at using Twitter, with 70 million followers on that network. He used multiple Twitter accounts, including his official account for the U.S. president for election activities (@POTUS), as well as the White House's Twitter account (@WhiteHouse) for governing activities. Obama's use of Twitter to shape public opinion in favor of his policies allowed him to communicate directly with the people without having to be interviewed by the media.
Which of the following statements about the use of the Internet for obtaining news and political information is accurate? In 2014 some 35 percent of adult Internet users said they looked for news or information about politics or the upcoming campaigns online. Live video streaming is growing less popular on the Internet as online print articles grow in importance. Formats for obtaining news on the Internet are becoming more diverse and interactive.
Formats for obtaining news on the Internet are becoming more diverse and interactive. FEEDBACK: The Internet is particularly convenient for obtaining news, and formats for doing so are becoming more diverse and interactive.
Across racial and ethnic groups, a pattern emerges illustrating that MOST Americans get MOST of their news from which of the following? academic journals TV broadcasts newspapers Social media
TV broadcasts FEEDBACK: Americans get their news from (1) broadcast media (radio and television); and, increasingly; (2) digital media; (3) print media, including newspapers and magazines. Within the category of digital media, social media have become a primary source of news for many Americans, and today reading news on mobile devices and cell phones has become more common than reading from desktop computers or reading print newspapers. While television remains the public's top source for news, digital media are now second most important. Among those under 50 years of age, digital media are where the majority get their news. This pattern is found across racial and ethnic groups.
Which of the following is true of media consolidation in the United States? The 1996 Telecommunications Act accelerated the pace of consolidation. Traditional newspapers are the one media source that remain highly diversified in individual ownership. There are roughly seven wire services, down from ten, which provide the bulk of the national news published by newspapers. The pace of consolidation has helped less popular and minority viewpoints gain greater access to the public forum.
The 1996 Telecommunications Act accelerated the pace of consolidation. FEEDBACK: The enactment of the 1996 Telecommunications Act opened the way for further consolidation in the media industry, and a wave of mergers and consolidations has further reduced the field of independent media across the country.
The practice of push polling involves telemarketers pretending to be pollsters to push their products. calling people during dinnertime to ensure that as many people as possible will be home. asking loaded questions to subtly shape the respondent's opinion. pushing politicians to adopt policy proposals they would not otherwise adopt.
asking loaded questions to subtly shape the respondent's opinion. FEEDBACK: Push polls are not scientific and are not intended to yield accurate information about a population. They involve asking a respondent a loaded question about a political candidate designed to elicit the response sought by the pollster and to shape the respondent's perception of the candidate in question.
Which of the following is not a core U.S. value? individual liberty democracy big government equality of opportunity
big government FEEDBACK: Liberty, equality of opportunity, and democracy are basic political values held by most Americans. Some Americans favor a large, powerful central government, but it is by no means a core value held by most Americans.
News produced by individuals and organizations who are not employed as professional journalists is called advocacy journalism. adversarial journalism. citizen journalism. fake news.
citizen journalism.
Which of the following agents of socialization provides MOST people with their initial orientation to politics? family peers church education
family FEEDBACK: Most people acquire their initial orientation to politics from their families. Children raised in homes in which the primary caregivers are Democrats tend to become Democrats, whereas children raised in homes in which their caregivers are Republicans tend to favor the Republican Party.
The power of the media to decide how the American people interpret political events and results is called agenda-setting. framing. priming. selection bias.
framing. FEEDBACK: Framing is the media's ability to influence how the American people interpret events and policies. For example, most people don't read legislation; therefore, media transmission of arguments made by elected officials and other political actors, or "frames," are critical to the process of forming opinions.
Out of the following, which set best describes the important forces in the marketplace of ideas, or, the interplay of opinions and views that takes place as competing forces attempt to persuade as many people as possible to accept a particular position on a particular issue? religion, government, public education government, news media, private groups news media, organized interests, religion individuals, public education, government
government, news media, private groups FEEDBACK: The marketplace of ideas is the interplay of opinions and views that takes place as competing forces attempt to persuade as many people as possible to accept a particular position on a particular issue. Given this constant exposure to the ideas of others, it is virtually impossible for most individuals to resist some modification of their own beliefs. Three forces that play important roles in shaping opinions in the marketplace are the government, news media, and private groups.
A ____ is the disclosure of confidential information to the news media. leak byline tweet scoop
leak FEEDBACK: A leak is the disclosure of confidential information to the news media. Leaks may emanate from a variety of sources, including whistle-blowers and lower-level officials who hope to publicize what they view as their bosses' improper activities.
Political and social reform, government intervention in the economy, expansion of government social services and health care, and greater concern for the environment are views that are generally identified as belonging to which political ideology? conservative liberal libertarian socialist
liberal FEEDBACK: In contemporary politics, being a liberal has come to mean supporting political and social reform, government intervention in the economy, the expansion of federal social services and health care, more vigorous efforts on behalf of the poor and minorities, and greater concern for protecting the environment. Liberals generally support abortion rights and rights for gays and lesbians and are concerned with protecting the rights of people accused of crimes. In international affairs, liberals often support foreign aid to poor nations, arms control, and international organizations that promote peace such as the United Nations and the European Union. Many liberals are opposed to military wars, but under President Obama some liberals have tolerated military interventions in other countries.
Which of the following has risen over the last decade as traditional print media has declined? local news stations and dailies academic journals niche journalism national magazines such as Time and Newsweek.
niche journalism FEEDBACK: In the gap opened by the decline in traditional print media, the last decade has seen the rise of niche journalism - news reporting devoted to a targeted portion of a journalism market sector or to a portion of readers or viewers based on content or ideological presentation.
By representing a wider range of political views than traditional news sources are able to, ______ have created a more democratic press. online media local newspapers academic journals presidential campaigns
online media FEEDBACK: The term digital citizenship refers to the ability to participate in culture and politics online. In much the same way that education and literacy promoted democracy and economic growth in the nineteenth century, today's Internet has the potential to benefit society as a whole and facilitate political participation by individuals within society. Like education, the Internet helps provide the information and skills needed for democratic engagement and economic opportunity. It facilitates social inclusion through greater access to political information and news.
What is the gender gap? different agents of socialization for men (boys) and women (girls) political and voting differences between men and women the difference between the number of men and women serving in political institutions such as Congress different roles for men and women enlisted in the military (women generally not serving in combat positions)
political and voting differences between men and women FEEDBACK: The tendency of men's and women's opinions to differ is known as the gender gap. For example, women in the United States are more likely than men to vote for Democratic candidates.
Liberalism and conservatism are examples of public opinions. political attitudes. political ideologies. political preferences.
political ideologies.
The set of underlying orientations, ideas, and beliefs through which individuals come to understand and interpret politics is called liberalism. conservatism. public opinion. political ideology.
political ideology. FEEDBACK: The set of underlying orientations, ideas, and beliefs through which we come to understand and interpret politics is called a political ideology. In America today, a variety of ideologies compete for attention and support, but the dominant two ideologies are liberalism and conservatism.
The processes through which underlying political beliefs and values are formed are collectively called political socialization. public opinion. survey research. political learning.
political socialization FEEDBACK: The processes through which underlying political beliefs and values are formed are collectively called political socialization. The agents of socialization that shape political beliefs are the family and social networks, social groups and race, political party affiliation, education, and political environment.
The bandwagon effect occurs when people respond to a poll in a way that they believe will align them with the majority. polling results themselves influence people to support the probable victor. polls are influenced by other poll results. politicians begin to take on policy positions that mimic popular poll results.
polling results themselves influence people to support the probable victor. FEEDBACK: Sometimes polling can even create its own reality. The so-called "bandwagon effect" occurs when polling results influence people to support the candidate marked as the probable victor.
What media in the United States are essentially free from government interference? broadcast media print media network television radio stations
print media FEEDBACK: In the United States, the print media are essentially free from government interference. The broadcast media, on the other hand, are subject to federal regulation. American radio and television are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), an independent regulatory agency established in 1934.
Priming refers to the bias that news organizations show toward covering dramatic and entertaining stories. process of preparing the public to bring specific criteria to mind when evaluating a politician or issue. tendency that people have to seek out news sources that confirm their prior beliefs about politics. fact that many important news stories go uncovered by the mainstream media.
process of preparing the public to bring specific criteria to mind when evaluating a politician or issue.
"Public broadcasting" refers to any television, radio, and digital media that receive funding from the public through license fees, subsidies, or tax dollars. report extensively on government officials and political issues. sell subscriptions to members of the public. make their content available to the public at no cost.
receive funding from the public through license fees, subsidies, or tax dollars.
A ____ is a small group selected by researchers to represent the MOST important characteristics of an entire population. sample public-opinion poll caucus primary
sample FEEDBACK: Pollsters take a sample of the population and use it to make inferences (e.g., predictions and educated guesses) about the preferences of the population as a whole. For a political survey to be an accurate representation of the population, it must meet certain requirements, including an appropriate sampling method (i.e., randomization), a sufficient sample size, and the avoidance of selection bias. Though some are skeptical of sampling, random sample surveys, which are used extensively in business and marketing as well as politics, ensure that the samples are accurate and reliable predictions of the underlying population's preferences.
Which kind of polling error arises based on the small size of the sample? push polling selection bias errata sampling error
sampling error FEEDBACK: Sampling error is the chance that the sample used does not accurately represent the population from which it is drawn. Normally, samples of 1,000 people are considered sufficient for accurate measuring.
The tendency to focus news coverage on only one aspect of an event or issue, avoiding coverage of other aspects, is known as selection bias. fairness doctrine. political framing. media partisanship.
selection bias. FEEDBACK: Selection bias - the tendency to focus news coverage on only one aspect of an event or issue, avoiding coverage of other aspects - means that the media may provide less information about important political issues. The age-old journalistic instinct for sensational stories to tell often trumps the media's responsibility to inform the public about what really matters - and the public's responsibility to demand that from the media.
Which of the following is NOT a reason why many Americans appear to prefer online news? the accuracy and objectivity compared to traditional media outlets the depth of the information available online the up-to-the-moment currency of the information available online the convenience of getting news online
the accuracy and objectivity compared to traditional media outlets
The concept of a marketplace of ideas refers to important changes in copyright and patent laws that have restricted Americans' access to free information. the competition between varying opinions and ideas that are aired in public forums. the use of opinion pollsters who market a politician's speeches, ideas, and votes. the explosion of information brought on by the internet and other advances in electronic communication.
the competition between varying opinions and ideas that are aired in public forums.
What is the social desirability effect? the bias in surveys that comes from the failure of pollsters to interview respondents from lower socioeconomic backgrounds the strong desire that people have to express their opinions to survey researchers the fact that respondents report what they think the interviewer wishes to hear or whatever they think is socially acceptable, rather than what they actually believe the impression conveyed by polls that something is important to the public when actually it is not
the fact that respondents report what they think the interviewer wishes to hear or whatever they think is socially acceptable, rather than what they actually believe FEEDBACK: (p.167) The effect that results when respondents in a survey report that they expect the interviewer wishes to hear rather than what they believe.
Which of the following would be the MOST important factor in determining the reliability of a poll? size of the population the size of the sample the issue being polled the timing of the poll
the size of the sample FEEDBACK: A population of any size can be studied with the use of a poll, as long as that poll is applied to a sample of the population that is representative of the whole.
