Chapter 6_ Outline_ POS2041-2237-7492 _ American Federal Gov

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10/28/23, 12:17 PM Chapter 6: Outline: POS2041-2237-7492 | American Federal Gov https://mdc.instructure.com/courses/47576/pages/chapter-6-outline?module_item_id=3705214 1/3 Chapter 6: Outline Public Opinion Is Defined by Basic Values and Beliefs 1. Public opinion is the term used to denote citizens’ attitudes about political issues, leaders, institutions, and events. Values (or beliefs) are a person's basic orientation to politics. Political ideology refers to a complex set of beliefs and values that, as a whole, form a general philosophy about government. 2. While most Americans share a common set of values, including the principles of liberty, equality of opportunity, and democracy, these political values have not always been practiced. 3. Many Americans describe themselves as either liberal or conservative in political orientation, with most describing themselves as moderates who have shades of both ideologies. 4. Within each ideological group, individual beliefs often vary; members of both parties often subscribe to or maintain policies put in place by the opposing party. How We Form Political Opinions 1. The processes that form political beliefs and values are collectively called political socialization. Agents of socialization including family and social networks, membership in social groups, party affiliation, education, self-interest, and political environment foster differences in political perspectives. 2. Most people acquire their initial orientation to politics from their families. 3. Education is another important source of political perspectives, with differences in formal education strongly associated with differences in political opinions. 4. Social groups, whether by birth or by choice, also have in impact on political opinion. 5. The linked fate phenomenon can act as a filter through which Americans who share a race evaluate information and determine their own opinions and policy preferences. 6. Ethnicity also effects policy attitudes, especially on such issues as immigration. 7. The gender gap refers to a distinctive pattern of voting behavior reflecting the differences in views between women and men. 8. Religion is also an agent of socialization. 9. Members of political parties rely on party leaders and the media for cues on the appropriate positions to take on major political issues.

10/28/23, 12:17 PM Chapter 6: Outline: POS2041-2237-7492 | American Federal Gov https://mdc.instructure.com/courses/47576/pages/chapter-6-outline?module_item_id=3705214 2/3 10. Economic class also shapes political opinions, though voters’ economic self-interest does not always march lock step with their policy preferences. Political Knowledge Is Important in Shaping Public Opinion 1. Some public opinions are relatively stable, while others experience a gradual change over time. When public opinion has shifted, the shift has occurred fairly steadily in one direction. 2. Citizens with political knowledge can recognize their political interests and act consistently to further those interests, but political knowledge is generally low in the United States. 3. Political scientists have found that many citizens base their opinions (and votes) on an overreliance on cues from political elites and on news they have only scanned or skimmed. 4. Low levels of political knowledge and engagement weaken American democracy in two ways: political power can more easily be manipulated by political elites, the media, and wealthy special interests; and a lack of knowledge can contribute to growing political and economic equality. Public Opinion Can Shape Government Policy 1. Government is responsive to public opinion, but public opinion can be shaped by policies put forth by government. All governments try to influence, manipulate, or manage their citizens' beliefs, but the effect on public opinion can be limited. 2. Not all opinions of members of the public are accorded equal value; more affluent and educated citizens tend to have their opinion considered more so than others. Measuring Public Opinion Is Crucial to Understanding What It Is Politicians and public officials make extensive use of public-opinion polls to help them make decisions. For a political survey to be an accurate representation of the population, it must include an appropriate sampling method, a sufficient sample size, and the avoidance of selection bias. Survey design, question wording, and the use of online surveys may be sources of measurement sampling error.

10/28/23, 12:17 PM Chapter 6: Outline: POS2041-2237-7492 | American Federal Gov https://mdc.instructure.com/courses/47576/pages/chapter-6-outline?module_item_id=3705214 3/3 Pollsters have learned to be aware of the social desirability effect, selection bias, push polling, and the bandwagon effect as they try to understand how public opinion is formed.

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