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citizens' attitudes about political issues, leaders, and events
public opinion
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basic principles that shape a person's opinions about political issues and events
values (or beliefs)
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a cohensive set of beliefs that forms a general philosophy about the role of government
political ideology
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a specific preference on a particular issue
attitude (or opinions)
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a widely shared American ideal that all people should have the freedom to use whatever talents and wealth they have to reach their fullest potential
equality of opportunity
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freedom from government control
liberty
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a system of rule that permits citizens to play a significant part in the governmental process, usually through the election of key public officials
democracy
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the induction of individuals into the political culture; learning the underlying beliefs and values on which the political system is based on
political socalization
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social institutions, including families and schools, that help to shape individuals' basic political beliefs and values
agencies of socialization
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a distinctive pattern of voting behavior reflecting the differences in views between women and men
gender gap
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people who support social and political reform; extensive governmental intervention in the economy; the expansion of federal social services; more vigorous efforts on behalf of the poor, minorities, and women; and greater concern for consumers and the environment
liberals
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people who support social and economic status quo and are suspicious of efforts to introduce new political formulae and economic arrangements. they believe that a large and powerful government pose a threat to citizens' freedom
conservatives
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the ability to influence government and politics
political efficacy
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the public forum in which beliefs and ideas are exchanged and complete
marketplace of ideas
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scientific instruments for measuring public opinion
public-opinion polls
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a small group selected by researchers to represent the most important characteristics of an entire population
sample
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a method used by pollsters to select a representative sample in which every individual in the population has an equal probability of being selected as a respondent
probability sampling
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a polling method in which responents are selected at random from a list of ten-digit telephone numbers, with every effort made to avoid bias in the construction of the sample
random digit dialing
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polling error that arises when the sample is not representative of the population being studied, which creates errors in overrepresenting or underrepresenting some opinions
selection bias
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polling error that arises based on the small size of the sample
sample error
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failure to identify the true distribution of opinion within a population because of errors such as ambiguous or poorly worded questions
measurement error
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a polling technique in which the questions are designed to shape respondent's question
push polling
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attitudes and views that are especially important to the individual holding them
salient interests
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the impression conveyed by polls that something is important to the public when actually it is not
illusion of saliency
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a shift in electoral support to the candidate whom public opinion polls report as the front-runner
bandwagon effect
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short snippets of information aimed at dramatizing a story rather than explaining its substantive meaning
sound bites
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the requirement that broadcasters provide candidates for the same political office equal opportunities to communicate their messages to the public
equal time rule
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a Federal Communication Commission regulation giving individuals the right to have the opportunity to respond to personal attacks made on radio or television broadcast
right of rebuttal
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a Federal Communication Commission requirement for broadcasters who air programs on controversial issues to provide time for opposing views. The FCC ceased enforcing this doctrine in 1985
fairness doctrine
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the power of the media to bring public attention to particular issues and problems
agenda setting
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the power of the media to influence how events and issues are interpreted
framing
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process of preparing the public to take a particular view of an event or political actor
priming
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the theory that all interests are and should be free to complete for influence in the government. The outcome of this competition is compromise and moderation
pluralism
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individuals who organize to influence the government's programs and policies
interest group
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a type of membership group in which
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