Political Beliefs and Elections Quiz
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Questions and Answers

Which group is more likely to support government-sponsored health insurance?

  • Hispanics
  • Young people
  • Evangelical Christians
  • Minorities (correct)

    • Older individuals prioritize issues related to student loan debt.

    False

    What is a public opinion poll?

    Interviews or surveys that estimate the feelings and beliefs of the entire population.

    Polls conducted as voters leave polling places on Election Day are known as _____ polls.

    <p>exit</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the factors with their importance in a public opinion poll:

    <p>Size = Increases accuracy Random Sampling = Reducing bias Diversity = Better representation Margin of Error = Indicates precision</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one common shortcoming of public opinion polling?

    <p>Survey errors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Strict Roman Catholics support abortion in all cases.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are tracking polls used for?

    <p>To monitor changes in public opinion over time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of the National Convention?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The electoral college uses a winner-take-all system in all states.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the magic number of electoral votes needed to win the presidency?

    <p>270</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Interest groups seek to influence __________ decisions to benefit their members.

    <p>government</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the type of interest group activity with its impact:

    <p>Submitting legal briefs = Judicial Lobbying lawmakers = Legislative Lobbying executive agencies = Executive Running issue ads = Election influence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor is NOT typically considered when choosing a running mate?

    <p>Fashion sense</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If no candidate secures the magic number in the electoral college, the election is decided by the Senate.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an iron triangle?

    <p>A policy-making relationship between congressional committees, the bureaucracy, and interest groups.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which political ideology is characterized by a strong federal government and support for civil rights?

    <p>Liberalism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Conservatives generally advocate for a strong government role in economic affairs.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term describes the right to vote in political elections?

    <p>suffrage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A person who seeks compromise and common ground in political issues is known as a __________.

    <p>moderate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the demographic to their voting tendency:

    <p>College Graduates = More likely to vote Citizens with higher income = Tend to vote more Citizens age 30 and older = Higher percentage of voting People with advanced degrees = Most likely to vote</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a form of conventional political participation?

    <p>Protesting</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Strict voter registration is one method the government has used to increase voter turnout.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name one way the government has tried to increase voter turnout.

    <p>Motor Voter Law</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the theory of pluralism suggest?

    <p>Competition among various interest groups leads to a balance of power.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Hyperpluralism argues that the government functions effectively even with many competing interest groups.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a Political Action Committee (PAC)?

    <p>A private group that raises and spends money to elect and defeat candidates.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Hard money refers to donations made directly to a candidate’s campaign, while soft money is money contributed for __________ activities.

    <p>party-building</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a significant aim of the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA)?

    <p>To restrict donations to curb the influence of large donors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the Supreme Court cases with their significance:

    <p>Buckley v. Valeo = Upheld restrictions on campaign contributions but ruled spending limits violated free speech Citizens United v. FEC = Declared that corporations and unions have the same First Amendment rights as individuals McCutcheon v. FEC = Struck down aggregate limits on total donations to candidates and political committees</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) aimed to increase transparency in the electoral process.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What impact did Citizens United v. FEC have on political action committees?

    <p>It led to the rise of Super PACs by granting corporations and unions the same free speech rights as individuals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following demographic groups tends to lean Democratic?

    <p>Low income individuals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Party dealignment leads to increased loyalty to political parties.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of political parties in the electoral process?

    <p>To win elections</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In __________ elections, voters choose which candidates will fill elective public offices.

    <p>general</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their definitions:

    <p>Primary Election = A process where party members decide candidates for the general election Caucus = A public meeting for party members to discuss and select candidates Frontloading = Moving primary dates earlier in the election cycle Open Primary = A primary where voters can choose to participate in either party's election</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What challenge do third parties face in the US political system?

    <p>They split votes among similar candidates</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Primaries typically involve public discussions among party members.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How has the nomination process changed in the past century?

    <p>It has become more democratic, giving voters more control.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes a Super PAC from a regular PAC?

    <p>Super PACs can raise unlimited money, whereas PACs have limits.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Investigation journalism focuses solely on sports-related stories.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are 527 groups and 501(c) groups primarily known for?

    <p>Engaging in political activities while having different rules regarding coordination and campaigning.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Media concentration refers to the ownership of media outlets becoming concentrated in the hands of _____ companies.

    <p>fewer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following types of media roles with their definitions:

    <p>Agenda Setting = Determining which issues are worthy of public attention Issue Framing = Focusing on how to present an issue or story Media Bias = Reinforcing a particular viewpoint in news reporting Investigative Journalism = In-depth investigation of significant issues</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key role of the media in shaping the policy agenda?

    <p>Influencing public opinion and highlighting issues.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    501(c) groups are primarily allowed to engage in direct political campaigning.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What executive agency is responsible for regulating the media?

    <p>Federal Communications Commission (FCC)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Political Beliefs and Elections

    • Political socialization is the process where individuals develop their political beliefs and values.
    • Family is a major influence on political opinions, especially during early childhood.
    • Peers also play a significant role in shaping political views, especially later in childhood.
    • Mass media consumption is high, particularly among teens, often presenting biased information.
    • Schools promote patriotism and national allegiance, but can also encourage critical thinking.
    • Political leaders can significantly impact public opinion through speeches and actions.
    • Family is the most influential political socializing agent during early childhood.
    • Gender, race, ethnicity, and age impact political values.
    • Women often hold more liberal viewpoints than men.
    • Young people are often more concerned about issues like student loan debt and gun violence, while older generations prioritize issues like Medicare and Social Security.
    • Religious beliefs often influence political attitudes.

    Public Opinion Polls

    • Public opinion polls are surveys of citizens used to estimate the feelings and beliefs of the entire population.
    • Polls use sampling techniques like random sampling, random digit dialing, stratified sampling, and tracking polls.
    • Factors like sample size and diversity are crucial for accurate poll results.
    • Exit polls are conducted as voters leave polling places on election day.
    • Polls can have inaccuracies due to various factors, including survey errors, limited respondent options, lack of knowledge, inability to measure the intensity of public opinion, or a lack of interest.

    Political Ideology

    • Political ideology is a coherent set of values and beliefs about government's scope.
    • Liberals often favor strong government intervention in economic security and civil rights.
    • Conservatives often favor limited government, personal freedom, and self-reliance.
    • Moderates hold a centrist view.

    Voter Turnout

    • Factors affecting voter turnout include education level, income, age, and demographics.
    • College graduates and higher-income citizens vote at a higher rate than those with less education or lower incomes.
    • Older citizens vote at a higher rate than younger citizens.
    • Presidential elections typically see higher turnout than midterm elections.

    Political Participation

    • Conventional participation includes activities like voting, campaigning, and contributing.
    • Unconventional participation encompasses protests, boycotts, and other forms of activism.
    • Advantages to participating in each form exist and disadvantages exist as well.
    • The most common and simplest form of political participation is voting.
    • Linkage institutions like media, parties, interest groups, and elections connect citizens to the government.
    • Ticket splitting occurs when voters choose candidates from different parties in the same election.

    Political Parties

    • Important issues where Democrats and Republicans differ include income inequality, healthcare, taxation, social issues, and immigration.
    • Party dealignment occurs when voters become less loyal to a particular party.
    • A two-party system is maintained by the winner-take-all system and historical factors related to electing members to Congress and presidential elections.
    • Third parties rarely win elections but can impact the outcome of major party elections by drawing support away from one party to the other.
    • Primary elections are used to narrow down the options for candidates to one per party for the general election.
    • Determining a candidate involves a process ( caucuses or primaries) that helps citizens get better acquainted with the candidates.
    • Frontloading refers to states moving their primaries earlier in the election cycle.
    • Primaries usually see a smaller voter turnout than in general elections.
    • Different parts of the US vote at different rates, leading to the different approaches parties take in campaigns and focusing on specific areas of the nation.

    Interest Groups

    • Interest groups try to influence government policies by targeting various aspects of the government.
    • Iron triangles are policy-making relationships between congressional committees, the bureaucracy, and interest groups.
    • Interest groups use various methods, including lobbying, campaign contributions, and publicity campaigns.

    Political Action Committees (PACs)

    • PACs are private groups that raise and spend money to influence elections.
    • PACs often support candidates and causes they favor.
    • Hard money refers to direct contributions to candidates; soft money is contributed to parties or other organizations for "party building" activities.
    • Reform laws like the Federal Election Campaign Act and the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act limit campaign spending and donations.
    • The Supreme Court cases Buckley v. Valeo and Citizens United v. FEC have impacted campaign finance regulations.
    • Super PACs are independent expenditure-only committees that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to support or oppose candidates.

    Media

    • Media plays roles like agenda setting and framing to affect what people focus on and how they view issues.
    • Media concentration occurs when ownership of media outlets becomes concentrated in fewer hands.
    • Media bias is the tendency of news to present a particular perspective or viewpoint.
    • Policy agendas are issues the public sees as needing attention from the government.
    • The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates interstate communications.

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    Michael Frimpong - Political Beliefs and Elections Test Review PDF

    Description

    Test your knowledge about how political beliefs are shaped and the various influences that affect voter opinions. This quiz covers topics like political socialization, the role of family, peers, media, and more. Discover the differences in political priorities across generations.

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