Question 1

If a person does not know anything about a proposed piece of legislation but supports it because Barack Obama endorsed it, we would say the person

Accepted Answer

A)  fell prey to the illusion of saliency. 
B)  was an example of the bandwagon effect. 
C)  committed a sampling error. 
D)  was an example of the bellwether effect. 
E)  reached his or her decision through the use of an informational shortcut. 
A)  fell prey to the illusion of saliency. 
B)  was an example of the bandwagon effect. 
C)  committed a sampling error. 
D)  was an example of the bellwether effect. 
E)  reached his or her decision through the use of an informational shortcut. E

Question 2

"Retail politics" refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  the fact that voters always vote for candidates who best represent their own self-interest. 
B)  attempts made by political machines in the nineteenth century to buy votes from citizens through cash payments. 
C)  debates about how extensively government should regulate the manufacture and sale of consumer goods. 
D)  campaigns where candidates meet citizens face-to-face to discuss politics. 
E)  government-run auctions to sell public property. 
A)  the fact that voters always vote for candidates who best represent their own self-interest. 
B)  attempts made by political machines in the nineteenth century to buy votes from citizens through cash payments. 
C)  debates about how extensively government should regulate the manufacture and sale of consumer goods. 
D)  campaigns where candidates meet citizens face-to-face to discuss politics. 
E)  government-run auctions to sell public property. D

Question 3

In recent years, partisan realignment in the South and congressional redistricting have

Accepted Answer

A)  had no noticeable effect on the partisan composition of the Congress. 
B)  increased the number of conservative Democrats and liberal Republicans in the Congress. 
C)  reduced the number of conservative Democrats and all but eliminated liberal Republicans from the Congress. 
D)  increased the number of conservative Democrats and all but eliminated liberal Republicans from the Congress. 
E)  increased the number of liberal Republicans and all but eliminated conservative Democrats from the Congress. 
A)  had no noticeable effect on the partisan composition of the Congress. 
B)  increased the number of conservative Democrats and liberal Republicans in the Congress. 
C)  reduced the number of conservative Democrats and all but eliminated liberal Republicans from the Congress. 
D)  increased the number of conservative Democrats and all but eliminated liberal Republicans from the Congress. 
E)  increased the number of liberal Republicans and all but eliminated conservative Democrats from the Congress. C

Question 4

Levels of education have not been shown to affect one's political opinions.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

It is often said that while Americans may be divided by ideology or opinion, they are united by fundamental political values. Describe these core values. How do they serve to unite American public opinion?

Accepted Answer

The core political values that unite Ame

Question 6

People's political party preferences are primarily acquired through the influence of

Accepted Answer

A)  their families. 
B)  the region of the country they inhabit. 
C)  their education. 
D)  the media they consume. 
E)  their occupation. 
A)  their families. 
B)  the region of the country they inhabit. 
C)  their education. 
D)  the media they consume. 
E)  their occupation.

Question 7

The failure of major pollsters to predict Jesse Ventura's 1998 victory in Minnesota's gubernatorial election demonstrates that

Accepted Answer

A)  pollsters placed too much emphasis on the two major parties' candidates. 
B)  researchers polled only people who had voted before, ignoring potential new voters. 
C)  poll takers believed that voters would actually show up to vote if they said they would. 
D)  the wording of the polls overemphasized Ventura's past career in wrestling. 
E)  the bandwagon effect can change the outcome of elections. 
A)  pollsters placed too much emphasis on the two major parties' candidates. 
B)  researchers polled only people who had voted before, ignoring potential new voters. 
C)  poll takers believed that voters would actually show up to vote if they said they would. 
D)  the wording of the polls overemphasized Ventura's past career in wrestling. 
E)  the bandwagon effect can change the outcome of elections.

Question 8

Why does the marketplace of ideas often have a moderating effect on people's opinions?

Accepted Answer

A)  Given constant exposure to other people's ideas, it is almost impossible for one not to modify one's own viewpoints. 
B)  Moderate ideas usually have the best financial backing and the greatest publicity. 
C)  The most popular ideas are usually the most moderate ones. 
D)  Those who shop in the marketplace of ideas typically start with moderate viewpoints. 
E)  Moderate ideas are always closest to the truth and, therefore, are most successful in the marketplace of ideas. 
A)  Given constant exposure to other people's ideas, it is almost impossible for one not to modify one's own viewpoints. 
B)  Moderate ideas usually have the best financial backing and the greatest publicity. 
C)  The most popular ideas are usually the most moderate ones. 
D)  Those who shop in the marketplace of ideas typically start with moderate viewpoints. 
E)  Moderate ideas are always closest to the truth and, therefore, are most successful in the marketplace of ideas.

Question 9

A socialist is someone who believes that

Accepted Answer

A)  government should be very active in providing universal health care but very inactive in all other spheres. 
B)  government should be very active in providing universal education but very inactive in all other spheres. 
C)  government should be very active in promoting national defense but very inactive in all other spheres. 
D)  government should be very active in many spheres in order to reduce economic and social inequality. 
E)  government is wasteful and should be limited to as few spheres of activity as possible. 
A)  government should be very active in providing universal health care but very inactive in all other spheres. 
B)  government should be very active in providing universal education but very inactive in all other spheres. 
C)  government should be very active in promoting national defense but very inactive in all other spheres. 
D)  government should be very active in many spheres in order to reduce economic and social inequality. 
E)  government is wasteful and should be limited to as few spheres of activity as possible.

Question 10

Which of the following was not part of the Bush administration's effort to maintain support for its war on terror?

Accepted Answer

A)  presidential speeches 
B)  press conferences 
C)  press releases 
D)  media appearances by administration officials 
E)  donations to academic institutions 
A)  presidential speeches 
B)  press conferences 
C)  press releases 
D)  media appearances by administration officials 
E)  donations to academic institutions

Question 11

Opposition to legalized abortion is a position most likely supported by ______ while support for legalized abortion is a position most likely supported by ______.

Accepted Answer

A)  liberals; conservatives 
B)  conservatives; liberals 
C)  libertarians; conservatives 
D)  liberals; libertarians 
E)  libertarians; liberals 
A)  liberals; conservatives 
B)  conservatives; liberals 
C)  libertarians; conservatives 
D)  liberals; libertarians 
E)  libertarians; liberals

Question 12

Differences in opinion can be influenced by one's gender.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Political scientist John Zaller argues that

Accepted Answer

A)  political elites are not an important factor in determining what people think about political issues. 
B)  people's responses in public opinion surveys are never influenced by the wording of the questions. 
C)  public opinion is too complicated to be explained or measured. 
D)  the public relies on elite cues when forming opinions about complex policies. 
E)  the public carefully researches the details of every policy proposal when forming opinions on political issues. 
A)  political elites are not an important factor in determining what people think about political issues. 
B)  people's responses in public opinion surveys are never influenced by the wording of the questions. 
C)  public opinion is too complicated to be explained or measured. 
D)  the public relies on elite cues when forming opinions about complex policies. 
E)  the public carefully researches the details of every policy proposal when forming opinions on political issues.

Question 14

Which of the following statements about the marketplace of ideas is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  The English created the marketplace of ideas in the seventeenth century. 
B)  Private groups and the news media play important roles in shaping opinions in the marketplace of ideas. 
C)  Exposure to the marketplace of ideas rarely leads people to change their minds about political issues. 
D)  Only individuals, not groups or organizations, are allowed to promote ideas in the marketplace of ideas. 
E)  Government officials are legally prohibited from promoting ideas in the marketplace of ideas. 
A)  The English created the marketplace of ideas in the seventeenth century. 
B)  Private groups and the news media play important roles in shaping opinions in the marketplace of ideas. 
C)  Exposure to the marketplace of ideas rarely leads people to change their minds about political issues. 
D)  Only individuals, not groups or organizations, are allowed to promote ideas in the marketplace of ideas. 
E)  Government officials are legally prohibited from promoting ideas in the marketplace of ideas.

Question 15

The term public opinion is used to describe

Accepted Answer

A)  the president's collected speeches and writings during his term in office. 
B)  the analysis of events broadcasted by reporters during the evening news. 
C)  beliefs and attitudes toward different issues, events, and people. 
D)  the U.S. Supreme Court's decisions. 
E)  political debates that take place between citizens in public settings. 
A)  the president's collected speeches and writings during his term in office. 
B)  the analysis of events broadcasted by reporters during the evening news. 
C)  beliefs and attitudes toward different issues, events, and people. 
D)  the U.S. Supreme Court's decisions. 
E)  political debates that take place between citizens in public settings.

Question 16

In a liberal ideology, which of the core American values is most important?

Accepted Answer

A)  liberty 
B)  democracy 
C)  equality 
D)  justice 
E)  patriotism 
A)  liberty 
B)  democracy 
C)  equality 
D)  justice 
E)  patriotism

Question 17

A wealthy businessperson who is very liberal is an example of

Accepted Answer

A)  the fact that group memberships always fully explain all of an individual's political views. 
B)  the fact that group memberships never fully explain all of an individual's political views. 
C)  the power of the bandwagon effect. 
D)  the negative consequences of the spiral of silence. 
E)  the impact of political efficacy on political attitudes. 
A)  the fact that group memberships always fully explain all of an individual's political views. 
B)  the fact that group memberships never fully explain all of an individual's political views. 
C)  the power of the bandwagon effect. 
D)  the negative consequences of the spiral of silence. 
E)  the impact of political efficacy on political attitudes.

Question 18

Which of following phenomena is not an illustration of the gender gap?

Accepted Answer

A)  More women than men vote for Democrats. 
B)  More women than men tend to favor government measures to protect the environment. 
C)  Men are more likely to join political parties and other social organizations. 
D)  Men are more militaristic on issues of war and peace than women. 
E)  Men are less supportive of government social and health care programs than women. 
A)  More women than men vote for Democrats. 
B)  More women than men tend to favor government measures to protect the environment. 
C)  Men are more likely to join political parties and other social organizations. 
D)  Men are more militaristic on issues of war and peace than women. 
E)  Men are less supportive of government social and health care programs than women.

Question 19

The difference between a political value and a political attitude is that

Accepted Answer

A)  values are conservative while attitudes are liberal. 
B)  values are liberal while attitudes are conservative. 
C)  values are held for a short term while attitudes are held for a long term. 
D)  values are basic principles while attitudes are specific preferences. 
E)  values are specific preferences while attitudes are basic principles. 
A)  values are conservative while attitudes are liberal. 
B)  values are liberal while attitudes are conservative. 
C)  values are held for a short term while attitudes are held for a long term. 
D)  values are basic principles while attitudes are specific preferences. 
E)  values are specific preferences while attitudes are basic principles.

Question 20

What did the framers identify as the greatest source of political conflict for the United States?

Accepted Answer

A)  racial inequalities 
B)  geographic differences 
C)  differences between the rich and poor 
D)  conflicts between central and local governments 
E)  conflicts between members of different racial groups 
A)  racial inequalities 
B)  geographic differences 
C)  differences between the rich and poor 
D)  conflicts between central and local governments 
E)  conflicts between members of different racial groups

Exam 6: Public Opinion

If a person does not know anything about a proposed piece of legislation but supports it because Barack Obama endorsed it, we would say the person

"Retail politics" refers to

In recent years, partisan realignment in the South and congressional redistricting have

Levels of education have not been shown to affect one's political opinions.

It is often said that while Americans may be divided by ideology or opinion, they are united by fundamental political values. Describe these core values. How do they serve to unite American public opinion?

People's political party preferences are primarily acquired through the influence of

The failure of major pollsters to predict Jesse Ventura's 1998 victory in Minnesota's gubernatorial election demonstrates that

Why does the marketplace of ideas often have a moderating effect on people's opinions?

A socialist is someone who believes that

Which of the following was not part of the Bush administration's effort to maintain support for its war on terror?

Opposition to legalized abortion is a position most likely supported by ______ while support for legalized abortion is a position most likely supported by ______.

Differences in opinion can be influenced by one's gender.

Political scientist John Zaller argues that

Which of the following statements about the marketplace of ideas is true?

The term public opinion is used to describe

In a liberal ideology, which of the core American values is most important?

A wealthy businessperson who is very liberal is an example of

Which of following phenomena is not an illustration of the gender gap?

The difference between a political value and a political attitude is that

What did the framers identify as the greatest source of political conflict for the United States?

American Political Culture

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Political Parties

Campaigns and Elections

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Bureaucracy in a Democracy

The Federal Courts

Government and the Economy

Social Policy

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Opposition to legalized abortion is a position most likely supported by while support for legalized abortion is a position most likely supported by .