shea chapter 10

10

Political Socialization and Public Opinion

Video: The Big Picture 10

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Video: The Basics 10

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Public Opinion

The Relationship Between Public Opinion and Public Policy

The Relationship Between Public Opinion and Fundamental Values

10.1

The Relationship Between Public Opinion and Public Policy

Historical Views Federalist Papers

Contemporary Considerations Pluralism Public Polls

10.1

Protest against cameras at intersections

10.1

The Relationship Between Public Opinion and Fundamental Values

Personal liberty Protection “to” and “from”

Individualism Individual interests win out over community interests

(government-funded health care)

Equality Equality of opportunity versus equality of outcome

10.1

10.1 This idea suggests that the government should ensure equality for citizens:

a. Individualism

b. Equality of opportunity

c. Equality of outcome

d. Personal liberty

10.1

10.1 This idea suggests that the government should ensure equality for citizens:

a. Individualism

b. Equality of opportunity

c. Equality of outcome

d. Personal liberty

10.1

The Stability of Political Beliefs

Shifts in Public Opinion

The Impact of Popular Culture on Political Opinions and Values

10.2

Shifts in Public Opinion

Previous shifts in American history From British loyalists to Americans From segregation to civil rights From homophobia to support for gay rights

Gradual changes Cohort replacement Abortion

10.2

FIGURE 10.1: U.S. Public Opinion on Abortion, 1975-2011

10.2

Shifts in Public Opinion

Abrupt changes Wartime

10.2

The Impact of Popular Culture on Political Opinions and Values

Catalyst-for-change theory Asserts that public opinion shapes and alters our political

culture

Barometer of public attitudes Theory that media reflect popular culture

Interactive theory Popular culture both shapes and reflects popular opinion

10.2

Danica Patrick 10.2

FIGURE 10.2: U.S. public opinion on who possesses the most valued leadership traits

10.2

10.2 This theory suggests that popular culture both shapes and reflects popular opinion:

a. Catalyst-for-change theory

b. Barometer of public opinion

c. Interactive theory

d. Cohort replacement

10.2

10.2 This theory suggests that popular culture both shapes and reflects popular opinion:

a. Catalyst-for-change theory

b. Barometer of public opinion

c. Interactive theory

d. Cohort replacement

10.2

Explore Public Opinion: What Do Young People Think About Politics Today?

10.2

http://media.pearsoncmg.com/long/long_shea_mpslld_4/pex/pex8.html

Political Ideology

Liberals

Conservatives

Populists

Libertarians

10.3

TABLE 10.1: Percent of Americans favoring/opposing the death penalty by social group membership

10.3

10.3 Which of these political ideologies believe that government should protect commoners against elites?

a. Liberals

b. Conservatives

c. Populists

d. Libertarians

10.3

10.3 Which of these political ideologies believe that government should protect commoners against elites?

a. Liberals

b. Conservatives

c. Populists

d. Libertarians

10.3

Video: In the Real World 10.3

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Political Socialization

Family

School, Peers, and Community

Religion

The Media and Events

10.4

Figure 10.3: Annual trends in political ideology

10.4

Family

Gender roles Single mothers; independence

Racial attitudes Acceptance and bigotry handed down

Changes in family structure and rituals Children spend less time at home Fewer family dinners

10.4

School, Peers, and Community

Schools and political knowledge Outside authority figures School elections Civics classes and community projects

10.4

Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance 10.4

School, Peers, and Community

Peers Greater influence as children get older

Community Exposure to different cultures Political efficacy

10.4

Religion

Religion important factor in identity Morality, self-sacrifice, altruism Conservative denominations: Southern Baptist,

traditionalist Catholics, evangelicals People raised in religiously diverse communities more

likely to be politically active

10.4

The Media and Events

Media Children spend 53 hours a week with entertainment media Entertainment at odds with values People may learn political information, but it varies with

the source

10.4

Jon Stewart 10.4

The Media and Events

Events Attitudes develop during and after crises

10.4

10.4 The process by which individuals develop their political views is called:

10.4

a. Political efficacy

b. Public education

c. Political socialization

d. Civic knowledge

10.4 The process by which individuals develop their political views is called:

a. Political efficacy

b. Public education

c. Political socialization

d. Civic knowledge

10.4

Social Groups and Political Values

Economic Bases of Partisanship and Public Opinion

Education

Religion

Race and Ethnicity

Gender

10.5

Video: Thinking Like a Political Scientist

10.5

http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg4_PublicOpinion_v2.html

Economic Bases of Partisanship and Public Opinion

Party identification Influenced by socio-economic status

Democrats Regarded as “party of the people”

Republicans Regarded as “party of the rich”

10.5

Education and Religion

More educated Favor gay rights and abortion rights

Less educated Favor increased spending on Social Security, Medicaid

Religion Denomination influences political party choice

10.5

FIGURE 10.4: Party identification among white evangelical Protestants

10.5

Race and Ethnicity

Early 20th century immigrants Irish, German, Scandinavian, Italian, and Polish; they were

New Deal supporting Democrats

African Americans Brought as slaves, they long occupied the bottom of the

economic, political, and social totem pole Civil rights gains, but disparities exits

Hispanics Becoming more politically active

10.5

Gender

Gender gap Separates American men and women

Foreign affairs Women more likely to oppose military intervention and to

support diplomacy

Domestic policy Women more likely to support health care programs, gun

control, affirmative action

10.5

10.5 These groups tend to lean politically to the left (liberal) on social issues:

a. Women

b. Catholics and Jews

c. People with more education

d. All of the above

10.5

10.5 These groups tend to lean politically to the left (liberal) on social issues:

a. Women

b. Catholics and Jews

c. People with more education

d. All of the above

10.5

Measuring Public Opinion

Use of Polls

Modern Polling Techniques

Survey Research

Interpreting Public Opinion Polls

Controversies Surrounding Polling

10.6

Use of Polls

“Spiral of silence” Bandwagon effect

Potentially misleading Suggested opinions, sampling errors, wording of

questions

Widespread use Used by media, others

10.6

Polling 10.6

Modern Polling Techniques and Survey Research Samples

Probability samples

Developing questionnaires Proper wording Socially acceptable responses Neutrality

Interpreting public opinion polls Margin of error Confidence level

10.6

Video: In Context 10.6

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Controversies Surrounding Polling

Pseudo-polls Call-in and Internet surveys

Changes in telephone use Caller ID, call block Strict cell phone use – no landlines

Campaign season Exit polls Premature reporting

10.6

10.6 The measure of accuracy of poll results is called:

a. Probability sample

b. Margin of error

c. Margin of victory

d. Confidence level

10.6

10.6 The measure of accuracy of poll results is called:

a. Probability sample

b. Margin of error

c. Margin of victory

d. Confidence level

10.6

Explore the Simulation: You Are a Polling Consultant

10.6

http://media.pearsoncmg.com/long/long_longman_media_1/2013_mpsl_sim/simulation.html?simulaURL=11

Discussion Questions

Why is political participation important in a democracy? Which types of citizens are the most and least likely to participate in the U.S. political system? What effect do the demographics of political participation have on public policy?

10

Video: So What? 10

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