Download Political Science Terms: Public Opinion, Values, Ideology & More and more Quizzes Political Science in PDF only on Docsity! TERM 1 public opinion DEFINITION 1 Citizens' attitudes about political issues, personalities, institutions, and events. TERM 2 values (or beliefs) DEFINITION 2 Basic principles that shape a person's opinions about political issues and events. TERM 3 political ideology DEFINITION 3 A cohesive set of beliefs that form a general philosophy about the role of government. TERM 4 attitude(or opinion) DEFINITION 4 A specific preference on a particular issue. TERM 5 equality of opportunity DEFINITION 5 A universally shared American ideal that all people should have the freedom to use whatever talents and wealth they have to reach their fullest potential. TERM 6 political socialization DEFINITION 6 The induction of individuals into the political culture; learning the underlying beliefs and values upon which the political system is based. TERM 7 agencies of socialization DEFINITION 7 Social institutions, including families and schools, that help to shape individuals' basic political beliefs and values. TERM 8 gender gap DEFINITION 8 A distinctive pattern of voting behavior reflecting the differences in views between women and men. TERM 9 liberal DEFINITION 9 A liberal today generally supports political and social 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. TERM 10 conservative DEFINITION 10 Today this term refers to one who generally supports the social and economic status quo and is suspicious of efforts to introduce new political formulae and economic arrangements. Conservatives believe that a large and powerful government poses a threat to citizens' freedom. TERM 21 random digit dialing DEFINITION 21 Polls in which respondents 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. TERM 22 selection bias DEFINITION 22 Polling in which respondents 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. TERM 23 sampling error DEFINITION 23 A polling error that arises on account of the small size of the sample. TERM 24 measurement error DEFINITION 24 Failure to identify the true distribution of opinion within a population because of error such as ambiguous or poorly worded questions. TERM 25 push polling DEFINITION 25 A polling technique in which the questions are designed to shape the respondent's opinion. TERM 26 salient interests DEFINITION 26 Attitudes and views that are especially important to the individual holding them. TERM 27 illusion of salience DEFINITION 27 Impression conveyed by polls that something is important to the public when actually it is not. TERM 28 bandwagon effect DEFINITION 28 A situation wherein reports of voter or delegate opinion can influence the actual outcome of an election or nominating convention
