Chapter 6: Political Socialization and Public Opinion

Exit polls

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

Gender as an agent of politic

women are more likely than men to favor democratic candidates. Men and women opinions differ very little on abortion. Men are more likely to support capital punishment. Women in most age groups except under the age of 25 are more likely to vote than males. Women are more likely to beleive in the wage gap compared to men.

First Consideration when conducting a poll

They first need to determine the population they are targeting for the survey.

Gallup Poll results on the issue of pro-choice vs pro-life

47% voted pro-choice while 46% voted pro-life

Straw Poll

A poll that was 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 4ths and certain areas within these regions are selected as representative of the national population

Push Polls

A special type of poll that both attempts to skew public opinion about a candidate and provides information to campaign about and candidates strenghts and weaknesses

Literary Digest

Conducted the first straw poll. Successfully predicted the winner of every presidential election from 1920- 1932 until FDRs election. They went wrong by using an unrepresentative sample.

Region as an example of political socialization

Differences in political socialization by region incorporates history. Historic patterns of immigration: Irish and italian immigrants typically settled in the NE and influence politics their. Chinese immigrants and the railroads influenced californias politics. The biggest political difference is by those whol live in the NE and the South. This is historically from the civil war where the south is republican and the north is democratic. The south has more protestant republicans.

agents of political socialization with the strongest impact

Family, Schools, and the Media.

Religion as an agent of political socialization

For some people going to church/ a religious institution plays a key role in shaping political beliefs. For others their religious beliefs play a key role and for others religion is irrelevant. Those who reguarly attend church are more likely to share conservative values and support republicans. Protestants tend to vote republican

Peers as an agent of political socialization

Friends, neighbors, and coworkers influence political socialization. through peers we learn about community and the political climate and values of the area we live in. The primary function of peers is to reinforce the political values you already have.

Weekly Reader's student poll, 1956-2012

Had correctly predicted the outcome of 90% of all presidential elections. Showed that children mimic their parents.

George Gallup and the Gallup poll

He was trying to help his mom when the Iowa poll. The Gallup Poll is more scientific but failed with Trueman V Dewey. He also founded the American Institute of public opinion.

Americans on the issue of wage equality

It became a higher priority with Obama and became apart of the national agenda during the 2016 presidential election.

Media as an agent of political socialization

Media types are tv, radio, social media, the internet, and print media. Media helps shape societal norms, determines the national agenda, educates the public about policy issues, and reinforces political values.

Numbers polled by polling organizations - nationally, statewide?

Nationally 1,000 - 1,500 people and statewide its 300 - 500.

Generational effects as an agent of political socialization

The generational effect is the influence of a significant external event in shaping the views of a generation. They're typically felt most by young people. Some events include WW2, war in vietnam, baby boomers and the 60s. A really strong example is the great depression.

internet polls

The problem with internet polls is that people can do the poll/ survey repeatedly. Though this problem persists market research firms, public opinion polling organizations, and even political candidates are increasingly relying on this method

Race and ethnicity as an agent of political socialization. how does this pertain to youth cohorts?

Whites, African Americans, Latinos and asians prefer different candidates and hold different political value, and have different areas of civic engagement. The youth are also different. -African American youth are the most politically engaged radical or ethnic group. (they're the most likely to vote and belong to political groups). -Asian Americans are more likely to have been active in their communities. (More likely to solve community problems, volunteer, engage in boycotts, sign petitions, and raise charitable contributions.) -Latins are least likely to be active in politics or their communities but are most likely to engage in protests. 1/4 of latinos have protested primarily in immigration rights. -White people are moderatly likely to engage in many community and political activities. they are more likely than any group to run walk or bike for charity.

Quota Sample

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

Random Sample

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

A Child's first exsposure to democracy and patriotism

during preschool. Voting for their favorite snack, comparing different kinds of fruit and then voting for a favorite. Children are also taught patriotism by reciting the pledge of allegiance everyday, singing patriotic songs, learning about the founding fathers and other american heros.

keys to successful polling

having a sample that accurately reflects the sampling population

2016-- issue identified by respondents as most important

in 2016 27% of americans cited economic issues including the economy, unemployment, the gap between rich and poor and so on as the most important problem. 18% said race and 16% said the government

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.

Activities that manifest popular opinion

protest, calling and writing into polls

School as an agent of political socialization

schools socialize children to the concept of democracy. Examples are children voting on their favorite snack, comparing different kinds of fruit and then voting for a favorite. Children are also taught patriotism by reciting the pledge of allegiance everyday, singing patriotic songs, learning about the founding fathers and other american heros. Higher levels of education are associated with higher levels of political activism.

political socialization

the process by which we develop our political values and opinions

Public Opinion

the public exspressed views about an issue at an specific point in time. The federalists papers is the earliest form.

Public trust in the institution of the presidency

there are lower levels. it declined steeply from 73% to 40% in two years during the nixon presidency as a result of the watergate scandal. from bush to barack was a more gradual decrease from 72% to 42%

public trust in the judicial branch

trust in the judicial branch is consistently high but has declined since 2012

Family as an agent of political socialization

we learn wether our family members value civic activism by observing their actions and listening to their political views. Parents show wether community matters. regardless of family attitudes children can learn to be politically active from schools, the media, friends, and public policies. Even if your parents are politically active children still follow their parents beliefs.