POLS Ch.6: Public Opinion

In the context of understanding public opinion, which of the following is the best definition of values?

Basic principles that shapes a person's opinions about issue and events

Identify the correct and incorrect statements. Refers to pg. 182-184

Correct Answer(s) A sample refers to the group selected by a researcher to represent the most important characteristics of an entire population. It is possible to estimate the country's opinion based on a small sample of 1,000 to 1,200 people. Incorrect Answer(s) It is impossible to collect a random sample. Public-opinion surveys only tell you what the sample's opinions are, without providing any insight into the general population.

Which of the following statements regarding individuals' use of shortcuts to make political decisions are true?

Correct Answer(s) Endorsements of an issue or candidate by political parties have a larger impact on public opinion than in past times due to partisan polarization. Party polarization may reduce overall levels of political knowledge. Individuals rely on cues from trusted people, like friends, elected officials, media outlets, to help them form their own opinions. Incorrect Answer(s) Endorsements of an issue or candidate by political parties have little impact on public opinion due to partisan polarization and citizens' dislike of parties.

Which of these statements are true about the relationship between public opinion and government policy?

Correct Answer(s) It is a dynamic relationship in which public opinion influences policy and policy also influences public opinion. Incorrect Answer(s) Because everyone has one vote, each person's opinion matters the same and has the same influence on government decisionmaking. There is generally not a strong relationship between public opinion and government policy because the public lacks political knowledge.

Which of these statements about politically knowledgeable citizens are true?

Correct Answer(s) More knowledgeable citizens are better able to recognize their interests and act consistently to further those interests. More knowledgeable citizens are better able to evaluate new information for consistency with their beliefs or predispositions. Incorrect Answer(s) More knowledgeable citizens are less likely to be partisan or ideological. More knowledgeable citizens are more likely to experience inconsistency in their beliefs because they encounter more conflicting information about politics.

Which of the following statements about the forces that shape public opinion are true?

Correct Answer(s) Older Americans tend to be more concerned about issues like protecting Social Security and Medicare benefits, while younger Americans tend to be more concerned about climate change, the costs of college education, and racial injustice. White evangelical Protestants and weekly churchgoers are much more likely to hold conservative views and be Republican, while those without any religious affiliation are more likely to hold liberal views and favor the Democratic Party. Partisanship can influence how individuals perceive information and shape their opinions on political issues. Incorrect Answer(s) With greater mobility, regional differences in partisanship and issue preferences have vanished.

A random sample of 1,000 Americans were polled on a local bond that would fund projects for the school district. The poll results showed that 47 percent of the respondents oppose the bond, while 52 percent expressed support for the school bond and 1 percent was unsure. The poll had a 3 percent margin of error. What can one conclude from this poll?

Correct Answer(s) The local bond could either pass or not pass in this election since they are in a statistical tie. Incorrect Answer(s) Five percent of the voters in the poll remain undecided between the candidates. The local bond is projected to lose. The local bond is projected to pass.

What is true regarding socialization, the attitudes about political issues, and underlying political values?

Correct Answer(s) Underlying values are formed through political socialization. Underlying values tend to shape specific attitudes. Incorrect Answer(s) Specific attitudes tend to shape underlying values. Specific issues are formed through political socialization.

Sandy, who has little interest in politics, is completing a survey questionnaire about the Republican tax cuts. Which factors would likely influence her opinion on the policy?

Correct Answer(s) a good friend's Facebook post supporting the tax cut partisanship Incorrect Answer(s) Congressional Budget Office's analysis economic self-interest

Which of the following elements do pollsters have to consider before conducting a poll that will forecast the election?

Correct Answer(s) a large sample wording of survey questions ability to randomly select respondents Incorrect Answer(s) ensuring that respondents make socially desirable answers

In public-opinion polling, what is a simple random sample?

Each person within the specified population has an equal probability of being selected as respondent.

Match each political value to its definition.

Every citizen should be treated fairly or given what they are due. justice Government interference in individuals' lives should be kept to a minimum. liberty All individuals should be allowed to seek personal and material success. equality of opportunity

In contemporary politics, which of the following political positions are more likely to be supported by liberals, and which are likely to be supported by conservatives?

Supported by Liberals protection of rights for LGBTQ persons expansion of federal social services extensive government intervention in the economy Supported by Conservatives cutting taxes and reducing government spending stricter criminal justice laws state-sanctioned expressions of religion

If a public-opinion survey suffers from selection bias, which of the following has occurred?

The survey organization did not get a random sample.

Match each ideological group to the statement(s) they would be most likely to support.

most likely to oppose expansion of government activity and more supportive of traditional family arrangements. conservatives extensive government intervention to reduce economic and social inequality socialists supportive of political and social reform liberals government that is as small and limited as possible libertarians