Questions and Answers
How did Sept. 11 have an unusual impact on public opinion?
Public opinion was remarkably near unanimous that the attack was an act of war that demanded an immediate response by force.
What is public opinion?
The distribution of the population's beliefs about politics and policy issues.
What is demography?
The science of population changes.
What is a census?
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What is the melting pot?
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Describe the three great waves of immigration into the U.S.
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How many immigrants are allowed to come into the U.S. annually?
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What is the minority majority?
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What is the African American experience in terms of socio-economic status?
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What is the purpose of the Simpson-Mazzoli Act and was it successful?
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What is the Asian experience in America?
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Describe the Native American experience in America.
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How has population shifted in the U.S.?
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What is the fastest growing group in America?
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How do demographic changes affect political changes?
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What is our most costly public policy?
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What is political culture?
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What is reapportionment?
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What is political socialization?
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What is the role of the family in political socialization?
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What is the role of the media in political socialization?
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What is the role of schools in political socialization?
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How does aging affect political behavior?
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What does aging do to the levels of political participation?
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Who developed public opinion polling?
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What is a sample in survey research?
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What is random sampling?
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How has random digit dialing affected polling?
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What is sampling error?
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What is the significance of sampling error?
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What do polls help political candidates predict?
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What is selective perception?
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What are critiques and supports of public opinion polls?
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What are exit polls?
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What does it mean to be liberal?
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What does it mean to be conservative?
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What is party identification?
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What is political trust?
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What is the paradox of mass politics, according to Russel Neuman?
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What is the bandwagon effect?
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What are the critiques of exit polls?
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How can pollsters manipulate results?
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What reveals a lack of information in American politics?
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What has happened to trust in government?
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What does 9/11 demonstrate about public sentiment?
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What is political ideology?
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What characteristics define liberals?
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What characteristics define conservatives?
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What is AA ideology?
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What describes Hispanic ideology?
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What describes women's ideology?
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What is the gender gap in politics?
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How does social class factor into ideology?
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What is the role of religion in ideology?
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What is the American voter typology?
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What is political participation?
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What is conventional participation?
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What is unconventional participation?
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How does minority status factor into political participation?
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What is protest as a form of political participation?
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What is civil disobedience?
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What is violence in the context of political participation?
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How do class and inequality affect political participation?
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What are public attitudes towards the scope of government?
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Study Notes
Public Opinion and Political Action
- September 11 attacks created near unanimous public opinion favoring military response.
- Public opinion reflects population beliefs on political and policy issues.
Demographics
- Demography studies population changes.
- A census, conducted every ten years, gathers crucial demographic data.
- The U.S. is often seen as a melting pot, blending various cultures due to immigration.
Waves of Immigration
- Early immigration included Northwestern Europeans (English, Irish, Germans).
- Late 19th to early 20th century saw Southern and Eastern Europeans (Italians, Jews, Poles).
- Recent waves include Hispanic and Asian immigrants.
- Approximately 800,000 immigrants are allowed entry into the U.S. annually.
Minority Majority
- By 2060, Hispanic, African American, and Asian populations are projected to outnumber White Americans.
- African Americans face economic and political disadvantages due to a legacy of racism.
Hispanic and Asian Experiences
- Hispanic Americans are the largest minority, often fleeing poverty and oppressive governments.
- Concerns around illegal immigration persist, particularly linked to the Simpson-Mazzoli Act.
- Asians are generally the most successful minority group, benefiting from higher education and income.
Native American Experience
- Native Americans represent the least healthy, poorest, and least educated demographic in the U.S.
- Historically disadvantaged due to early European colonization efforts.
Population Shifts
- Population has moved from the Northern to Southern and Western U.S., with demographic changes impacting political representation.
- Senior citizens are the fastest-growing demographic due to longer life expectancy and declining birth rates.
Political Culture and Socialization
- Political culture encompasses shared community values.
- Political socialization involves acquiring political orientations, heavily influenced by family, media, and schools.
- Family plays a significant role in party identification while the media increasingly shapes political views among youth.
Aging and Political Behavior
- Older individuals typically have higher political participation rates and stronger party attachments.
Polling and Public Opinion
- George Gallup pioneered public opinion polling; random sampling increases survey accuracy.
- Sampling error measures confidence in poll results, with larger samples reducing error margin.
- Polls can predict candidates' public preferences and influence public opinion through phenomena like the bandwagon effect.
Ideological Perspectives
- Liberal ideology promotes government action for equality; conservatives advocate for limited government intervention.
- Women tend to support Democratic candidates more than men, highlighting a gender gap in political preferences.
- Social class and religion influence ideological divisions; wealthier individuals generally participate more in politics.
Political Participation
- Political participation ranges from conventional activities (voting) to unconventional methods (protests, civil disobedience).
- Higher socioeconomic status correlates with increased political involvement, with minorities showing strong voting incentives due to group consciousness.
Government Trust and Political Attitudes
- Trust in government has fluctuated, influenced by major historical events and crises.
- Americans often exhibit conflicting attitudes towards the scope of government, with ideological conservatism clashing with operational liberalism, leading to policy gridlock.
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Description
Explore the concepts of public opinion and political action in Chapter 6 of AP Government. This quiz covers key terms and definitions relevant to understanding the dynamics of public attitudes and their implications for policy. Prepare to test your knowledge about how events like Sept. 11 shape public perception and demographic studies.