Chapter 6- Public Opinion Learning Objectives:People’s Limited Knowledge of PoliticsPublic’s Knowledge of Politics and IssuesFinding out what the Public ThinksMethods for Public PollingThe Distribution of Political KnowledgeBasis & Traits of Political KnowledgeImportant Related Traits of Political KnowledgeMost Important Tool in Acquiring Political Knowledge?Literacy & Political KnowledgeSources of Political KnowledgeAttentive or Issue PublicsForming Values & OpinionsSocializing InfluencesShaping & learning attitudes & valuesIdeologyLiberalism versus ConservatismLiberalism: general profileConservatism: general profileIdeologies may change over TimeSources of Ideology & their ImpactAbstract Ideals & their Impact- Some examples:The Process of Molding Political IdeologiesPublic Opinion on the IssuesAmerican Ideological Self-IdentificationAbstract Symbols vs. Concrete PoliciesPrograms Americans Support (1974-2002)Clustering of OpinionEconomic Issues: (Distribution of Wealth)Social Issues: (moral & value judgments)Attitudes Toward HomosexualityChange in Opinion over Time: Social IssuesChange in Opinion over Time: Economic Issues:Causes of Change – examples:Next Week’s AssignmentChapter 6: Public Opinion Key TermsPublic Opinion Key Terms (2)Key Part 1 Theme: Balancing Rights Civil Liberties & Civil RightsAttitudes Toward Federally Enforced Job EqualityAmerican Attitudes on Economic IssuesAttitudes Toward AbortionSlide 42Chapter 6- Public Opinion Learning Objectives:•(1). Define public opinion, explain its role, & describe how it shapes political process. •(2). Examine political knowledge, and its distribution and sources.•(3). Examine issue politics, and the people who possess political knowledge.•(4). Define political socialization, and state how political values & beliefs are formed.•(5). Define ideology and explain how it influences public opinion.•(6). Compare and contrast the main ideas behind modern liberalism and conservatism. •(7). Outline how ideology has changed over time and examine its roots & sources.•(8). Examine contradictions in the public’s opinion on major economic and social issues. •(9). Contrast abstract symbols with concrete policies.•(10). Examine how the public maintains its opinions, changes them over time, and why.1People’s Limited Knowledge of Politics •American Opinions vs. informed opinion:–What do Americans really know about political issues?*23Public’s Knowledge of Politics and Issues Year Item of Knowledge Percent Who Know1998 Which party was the majority in the U.S. Senate 56%1980 Definitions of liberal and conservative 421996 What the federal minimum wage was 421991 What majority is needed to override a presidential veto 372000 Who the Prime Minister of Great Britain was 292000 Vladimir Putin was president of Russia 181989 What percentage of Americans live below poverty line 181991 Canada was America's largest foreign trading partner 82000 Who the Chief Justice of the United States was 8Finding out what the Public Thinks•How do we know what America thinks?–What method is used?–Public Polling–Public Opinion is measured by taking a poll of public’s attitudes on various issues•How does it work? *45Methods for Public Polling1. Large enough sample (1000+)2. Representative of the population (all have equal chance of selection)3. Properly worded questionA good survey resultThe Distribution of Political Knowledge •Basis of political knowledge ––Prerequisites to learning about politics:•1. Opportunity •2. Capacity •3. Interests •In addition to the above prerequisites, what are the other important traits closely related to those necessary for gaining political knowledge? *67Basis & Traits of Political KnowledgeOpportunity to learnCapacity to learnInterest in learningDemographic characteristicsSocial characteristicsPsychological characteristicsPolitical KnowledgeImportant Related Traits of Political Knowledge•Demographic Characteristics–Socioeconomic status:•Education*•Occupation •Income •Social Characteristics –Membership & participation in activities & clubs•Psychological Characteristics–Interest & Active participation in politics –Political efficacy*89Most Important Tool in Acquiring Political Knowledge? EducationMost important factor in political knowledgeWhy is education so important?*10Literacy & Political KnowledgePercentage of population who are illiterate or functionally illiterate, Percentage of populationWhy is this a major concern?Constitutional Democracy!What kind of government does the US have?Sources of Political Knowledge •School (teach information on the basics)–American values: Democracy & Capitalism•News media –Cover current political issues–TV vs. Newspapers •Growing decline in political knowledge – why?–Entertainment & interest vs. content & depth 11Who are the people with political knowledge & what are they called?12Attentive or Issue PublicsPeople who follow a particular issue closely, are well informed about it, and have strong opinions on it. What are Issue Publics?Attentive or Issue Publics vs. general public:How do they compare in political influence?* Major influence on elected officials Favorable Demographic Characteristics?*High Socioeconomic status13Forming Values & OpinionsSo what does this process shape?*? and ? Opinions?What process forms values and opinions?*What are the major socializing influences?*Socializing Influences•Family•Media•School•Let’s examine in more detail14The major socializing influences:Shaping & learning attitudes & values •Family and Friends:–Major impact => shape basic value judgments–Parents => Party labels & basic political attitudes •School:–Promote patriotism & basic democratic & $$$ values–Civics classes => promote support for political system–University courses offer diverse political views to consider•The Media => especially television programs:–Influence impressions of acceptable social behavior•The Politically correct society•Finally: Lifetime Learning=> Socialization continues–Party ID stable w/ some exceptions (Independents)1516IdeologyAn elaborate set of ? with overarching, abstract ? that provide coherent ?.What is Ideology?*What are the two major political ideologies?*Help focus on agreement & disagreement about issuesLiberalism versus Conservatism •Democracy•Capitalism•Freedom Disagreement at Margins•Government plays expansive