18.

1. The nature of public opinion

a. Public opinion- ideas and attitudes a significant number of Americans hold about gov and
political issues
i. Three factors of public opinion
1. Diversity
a. Different groups of people hold different opinions on almost every
issue
2. Communication
a. Interest groups communicate opinions of many individuals.
Officials reply on opinion polls and private letters and telegrams to
know what people thinking
3. Significant numbers
a. Sig # of Americans- enough people must hold a particular opinion
to make gov officials listen to them
2. Political Socialization
a. Political socialization- individuals learn their political beliefs and attitudes from their family
school, friends, and coworkers in this process
b. Family and home influence
i. Children learn many early political opinion from parents.
c. Schools
i. Democratic values learned in school clubs and through school rules and regulations
d. Peer Groups
i. Peer groups- individuals close friends, religious groups, clubs, work groups
ii. Often influence or shape persons opinions
e. Social Characteristics
i. Many conditions, economic social affect
f. The mass media
Mass media- TV radio newspapers magazines
i. Play important role in political socialization
g. Other influences
i. Government leaders can influence. New media. Members congress go back home
and influence
h. Political Efficacy
i. Political efficacy- individuals feelings of effectiveness in politics
3. Political Culture
a. Political culture- set of basic values and beliefs about a nation and its gov that most citizens
share
4. Ideology and public policy
a. Ideology- set of basic beliefs about life culture gov society
i. People Inconsistent on issues
b. Liberal- nation gov should be active in promoting health education justice. Curtail economic
freedom for increase economic quality
c. Conservative- gov role limited. Believe private organizations, not gov
d. Moderate- between liberal and conservative