Chapter 6

Which of the following refers to how strongly people feel about their position on an issue—for example, "very important" or "not important at all."

intensity

Which method of sampling gives everyone in a population an equal chance of being interviewed?

random sampling

Through various methods of random ______, pollsters attempt to select a subset of the population that is representative of the population's views.

sampling

______________________ error (accuracy of a poll) is expressed as a plus-or-minus percentage.

sampling

What is the degree of accuracy of a public opinion poll called?

sampling error

Which of the following are primary socializing agents for children that can have a formative influence on children's beliefs?

school family religion

The tendency of people to pay more attention to issues highlighted in the media is an example of

socialization.

People in the northern Midwest, West Coast, and Northeast are most likely to be

Democrats.

_________________ refers to whether people have a pro or con position on an issue.

Direction

A public opinion _______________ is designed to estimate the views or sentiments of the public.

poll

______ refers to whether people have a pro or con position on an issue.

direction

Which of the following place limits on government officials' ability to govern according to public opinion?

Few people are well informed on public affairs. Many people have opinions on issues they know little about. Many people support policies that are inconsistent with each other.

To what extent does religious denomination affect party affiliation?

For many individuals, religion plays a significant role in their political opinions.

Support for poverty programs is highest among which religious denominations?

Jews Catholics

What problem has recently arisen in using telephone polling?

Nonresponse rates have increased sharply.

Which of the following reduce the accuracy of a poll?

Respondents hide their true opinions. Respondents are questioned about unfamiliar issues. Respondents reached by telephone refuse to participate.

Which of the following statements about political and community leaders are true?

The president has the greatest influence on public opinion. Their influence depends on their standing with the public. They influence people's opinions.

True or false: Saliency refers to how important people think an issue is compared to other issues.

True

Which of the following are examples of the effect economic class has on political opinion?

Welfare assistance has higher support among lower-income Americans than higher-income Americans. Income levels affect Americans' opinions on some public policy issues.

Which of the following statements describe the relationship between political leaders and political opinion?

When public opinion changes on a major issue, political leaders tend to change their positions in the direction of the opinion change. Because they think public opinion is important, political leaders persuade the public to support the policies they wish to pursue.

What attitude is described in Arlie Russell Hochschild's Strangers in Their Own Land?

Working-class whites blame working-class minorities and immigrants for their failure to realize the American Dream.

Compared to non-Hispanic white Americans, blacks and Hispanics are more likely to support which of the following programs?

affirmative action economic assistance programs

The political socialization process takes place through ______ of socialization.

agents

Research indicates that when public opinion changes on major political issues, public policy tends to

change in the same direction.

The socialization process results in schemas, or frames of reference, that

citizens use to evaluate issues and developments. help in forming a common cause.

In general, which political values do evangelical Protestants support?

conservative values

Which of the following refers to a situation in which multiple group loyalties diminish a person's identification with a single group?

crosscutting

In general, Americans who believe that the government should use its power to promote traditional values are

cultural conservatives.

One characteristic of political socialization is that it is its effects are

cumulative.

Which of the following refers to a general belief about the role and purpose of government?

ideology

A ______ is a representative who acts in response to what their constituencies say they want, no matter their own personal opinion.

delegate

When does the process of political socialization begin?

early childhood

Our tendency to grow up as Democrats or Republicans is often established by

family

The ______ shapes our political values and ideology from childhood and has the strongest impact on our political perspective.

family

Trump-era congressional Republican opinion (and policy support) regarding what issue is particularly representative of how abrupt shifts in opinion can change the boundaries of acceptable action?

free trade

Generally, secondary agents of socialization are more important

later in life.

Americans' opinions about politics are formed in large measure through which of the following frames of reference?

leaning toward particular ideologies identifying with political parties

When people grow up in a neighborhood that is diverse, due to crosscutting, they are more likely to develop ______ political opinions.

moderate

Recent studies of party identification have concluded that it is

more fluid than previously believed.

Democratic voters tend to live in which of the following regions?

northern Midwest West Coast northeast

In the United States, political opinions are affiliated more with ______ than with income

occupation

Which of the following do policy makers rely on when they want to develop and implement policies that reflect the views of the public?

opinion polls

The text explores which three major frames of reference through which Americans evaluate political developments?

partisanship ideological leanings group attachments

What is the process by which we develop our political values and opinions?

political socialization

In terms of political socialization, which of the following is considered a primary agent?

the family

According to recent polls, which of the following are men much more likely to support than women?

the use of military force

Of the following factors, which has the greatest influence on people's political opinions?

their partisan loyalty

Why do pollsters rely most on the scientific method of random sampling?

to ensure that everyone has an equal chance of being included in the sample

True or false: Americans are often inconsistent in their government policy preferences.

true

True or false: The accuracy of a poll is reduced when respondents express an opinion on an issue even though they have not thought about the issue before.

true

Which of the following age groups' political views are most likely to be influenced when a major political development occurs, such as war or economic depression?

young people