Unit 4 Review: Public Opinion, Data, and Party Ideologies

Public Opinion

The distribution of the population's beliefs about politics and policy issues.

Political Socialization

The process by which individuals acquire political beliefs from family, school, and peers.

Generational Effects

Unique views held by specific age groups shaped by significant historical events during their formative years.

Cohort Effect

When a specific age group develops distinct views due to shared experiences.

Silent Generation

The generation that lived through the Great Depression and World War II, fostering respect for authority and government intervention.

Baby Boomers

The generation that came of age during the Vietnam War and Watergate, leading to decreased trust in government.

Millennials and Gen Z

Generations shaped by events like 9/11 and the Great Recession, leaning toward government support for social issues.

Lifecycle Effects

Changes in political beliefs that occur as people age, influenced by life experiences and priorities.

Benchmark Polls

The first poll in a campaign, used to gather baseline information about candidate recognition and voter issues.

Tracking Polls

Continuous surveys that chart a candidate's support over time.

Entrance and Exit Polls

Polls conducted on Election Day to predict outcomes and analyze voter demographics.

Focus Groups

Small, diverse groups assembled for in-depth conversations providing qualitative data.

Random Sample

A sampling method where every individual has an equal chance of being selected, crucial for poll credibility.

Representative Sample

A sample that reflects the demographic breakdown of the population to ensure accurate polling.

Sample Size

The number of individuals included in a poll, with 1,000 to 1,500 being standard for national polls.

Margin of Error

A measure of the accuracy of a poll, with a good poll having a margin of error of ±3%.

Question Wording (Framing)

The way questions are posed in polls that can influence responses.

Selection Bias

When certain groups are excluded from polling methods, affecting accuracy.

Social Desirability Bias

When respondents give answers they believe are socially acceptable rather than their true feelings.

Non-Response Bias

The difficulty of obtaining a random sample due to non-respondents, particularly with declining landline use.

Liberalism

A political ideology generally favoring a more active role for government in economic matters.

Conservatism

A political ideology generally favoring a limited government role in economic matters and upholding traditional values.

Keynesian Economics

An economic theory advocating for government spending to stimulate the economy during downturns.

Supply-Side Economics

An economic theory that suggests cutting taxes will stimulate economic growth.

Libertarianism

A political ideology advocating for maximum individual liberty and minimal government intervention.

Political Ideology Matrix

A comparison tool illustrating the differing stances of Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarians on various issues.