Question 1

Survey experiments have shown that

Accepted Answer

A)  roughly half of Americans had misgivings about a black president in 2007 and 2008. 
B)  roughly one-third of Americans had misgivings about a black president in 2007 and 2008. 
C)  roughly three-fourths of Americans had misgivings about a black president in 2007 and 2008. 
D)  almost all Americans had misgivings about a black president in 2007 and 2008. 
E)  almost no Americans had misgivings about a black president in 2007 and 2008. 
A)  roughly half of Americans had misgivings about a black president in 2007 and 2008. 
B)  roughly one-third of Americans had misgivings about a black president in 2007 and 2008. 
C)  roughly three-fourths of Americans had misgivings about a black president in 2007 and 2008. 
D)  almost all Americans had misgivings about a black president in 2007 and 2008. 
E)  almost no Americans had misgivings about a black president in 2007 and 2008.

Question 2

The fact that many middle-class and lower-middle-class citizens who did not stand to benefit from President Bush's tax cuts seemed to favor them is an example of

Accepted Answer

A)  the importance of political knowledge. 
B)  the importance of self-interest. 
C)  the importance of political efficacy. 
D)  the "spiral of silence." 
E)  bandwagon effects. 
A)  the importance of political knowledge. 
B)  the importance of self-interest. 
C)  the importance of political efficacy. 
D)  the "spiral of silence." 
E)  bandwagon effects.

Question 3

Which of the following statements about the political opinions of Democrats and Republicans in the public is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)  Differences between the political opinions of Democrats and Republicans on a wide variety of policy questions are smaller today than during any other period in the last forty years. 
B)  Differences between the political opinions of Democrats and Republicans on a wide variety of policy questions are greater today than during any other period in the last forty years. 
C)  The differences between the political opinions of Democrats and Republicans have always been the same throughout American history and have not become more intense over the last forty years. 
D)  Republicans and Democrats have similar opinions on all political issues with the exception of national security-where Democrats are more "hawkish" than Republicans. 
E)  The political opinions of Democrats and Republicans in the public are unaffected by the opinions of party leaders. 
A)  Differences between the political opinions of Democrats and Republicans on a wide variety of policy questions are smaller today than during any other period in the last forty years. 
B)  Differences between the political opinions of Democrats and Republicans on a wide variety of policy questions are greater today than during any other period in the last forty years. 
C)  The differences between the political opinions of Democrats and Republicans have always been the same throughout American history and have not become more intense over the last forty years. 
D)  Republicans and Democrats have similar opinions on all political issues with the exception of national security-where Democrats are more "hawkish" than Republicans. 
E)  The political opinions of Democrats and Republicans in the public are unaffected by the opinions of party leaders.

Question 4

The transition many white southerners made from the Democratic to the Republican Party is a good example of

Accepted Answer

A)  the changes in political conditions and circumstances in the South, rather than in opinions or values. 
B)  the growing conservative ideology in the South. 
C)  the growing liberal ideology in the South. 
D)  the rise of labor unions and other associations in the South. 
E)  the growth in patriotism in the South. 
A)  the changes in political conditions and circumstances in the South, rather than in opinions or values. 
B)  the growing conservative ideology in the South. 
C)  the growing liberal ideology in the South. 
D)  the rise of labor unions and other associations in the South. 
E)  the growth in patriotism in the South.

Question 5

______ are used by researchers to measure public opinion on sensitive issues without letting respondents know what information is being sought.

Accepted Answer

A)  Simple random samples 
B)  List experiments 
C)  Push polls 
D)  Bandwagon effects 
E)  Face-to-face surveys 
A)  Simple random samples 
B)  List experiments 
C)  Push polls 
D)  Bandwagon effects 
E)  Face-to-face surveys

Question 6

The practice of push polling involves

Accepted Answer

A)  polling services like Harris and Gallup attempting to sell their polling data to major news media organizations at higher prices during election seasons. 
B)  the system of calling people during dinner and evening hours to ensure that as many people as possible will be home. 
C)  the procedure of asking loaded questions in order to subtly shape the respondent's opinion. 
D)  the effect of polls having to push politicians into adopting policy proposals they would not otherwise adopt. 
E)  the system of repeatedly calling people in the sampling frame until they respond to the survey. 
A)  polling services like Harris and Gallup attempting to sell their polling data to major news media organizations at higher prices during election seasons. 
B)  the system of calling people during dinner and evening hours to ensure that as many people as possible will be home. 
C)  the procedure of asking loaded questions in order to subtly shape the respondent's opinion. 
D)  the effect of polls having to push politicians into adopting policy proposals they would not otherwise adopt. 
E)  the system of repeatedly calling people in the sampling frame until they respond to the survey.

Question 7

Which of the following best characterizes the Clinton White House's attempts to influence public opinion?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Clinton White House used techniques similar to those used in election campaigns to bolster popular enthusiasm for White House initiatives. 
B)  The Clinton White House made no attempts to influence public support for White House initiatives. 
C)  Clinton refused to employ any political consultants or pollsters in his administration. 
D)  The Clinton White House almost never communicated with representatives from the departments of the executive branch about how to coordinate the president's public relations efforts. 
E)  Despite the advice of some of his supporters, Clinton refused to establish a political "war room" to plan his administration's public relations efforts. 
A)  The Clinton White House used techniques similar to those used in election campaigns to bolster popular enthusiasm for White House initiatives. 
B)  The Clinton White House made no attempts to influence public support for White House initiatives. 
C)  Clinton refused to employ any political consultants or pollsters in his administration. 
D)  The Clinton White House almost never communicated with representatives from the departments of the executive branch about how to coordinate the president's public relations efforts. 
E)  Despite the advice of some of his supporters, Clinton refused to establish a political "war room" to plan his administration's public relations efforts.

Question 8

One recent survey showed that two-thirds of Americans believe the government is spending "too little" money on "assistance for the poor." Yet, another survey conducted at the same time found that only one-tenth of Americans believe that the government is spending "too little" on "welfare." This example shows that

Accepted Answer

A)  selection bias must always be considered when interpreting the results from a poll. 
B)  small differences in the wording of a question can lead to very different response patterns. 
C)  the findings from some polling agencies should not be trusted. 
D)  polling can never be used to understand public opinion on any issue. 
E)  the results from push polls are often inconsistent. 
A)  selection bias must always be considered when interpreting the results from a poll. 
B)  small differences in the wording of a question can lead to very different response patterns. 
C)  the findings from some polling agencies should not be trusted. 
D)  polling can never be used to understand public opinion on any issue. 
E)  the results from push polls are often inconsistent.

Question 9

Push polls are scientific surveys designed to assess the public's support for a policy or candidate by using a probability sample.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Which statement concerning the news media is not true?

Accepted Answer

A)  The methods used to report the news help shape the underlying attitudes and opinions of those consuming the news. 
B)  In a free democracy, the news media provides information without framing or interpreting it in any particular way. 
C)  The news media presented the Bush administration's military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as its domestic antiterrorist efforts, in a positive light. 
D)  The news media has relentlessly investigated the personal and official wrongdoings of politicians. 
E)  The media's continual presentation of corruption in government has fostered cynicism and distrust in the public. 
A)  The methods used to report the news help shape the underlying attitudes and opinions of those consuming the news. 
B)  In a free democracy, the news media provides information without framing or interpreting it in any particular way. 
C)  The news media presented the Bush administration's military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as its domestic antiterrorist efforts, in a positive light. 
D)  The news media has relentlessly investigated the personal and official wrongdoings of politicians. 
E)  The media's continual presentation of corruption in government has fostered cynicism and distrust in the public.

Question 11

How are political views formed? Describe some of the key processes and factors through which individuals become politically socialized. How do external institutions such as families and groups, as well as personal experiences, come to shape individual opinions?

Accepted Answer

Political views are formed through a com

Question 12

A frequent cause of measurement error in polls is due to

Accepted Answer

A)  unresponsiveness. 
B)  poorly worded questions. 
C)  push polling. 
D)  the increased use of cell phones. 
E)  sampling error. 
A)  unresponsiveness. 
B)  poorly worded questions. 
C)  push polling. 
D)  the increased use of cell phones. 
E)  sampling error.

Question 13

Families, social groups, and schools are important institutions where people are politically socialized.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Pollsters use random digit dialing to gather national samples for surveys because

Accepted Answer

A)  Sampling errors are typically too low when other techniques are used. 
B)  Sampling errors are typically too high when other techniques are used. 
C)  There is not a complete list of all Americans that can be used to identify the population. 
D)  It is the only method that allows for push polling. 
E)  It is the only method that generates high levels of measurement error. 
A)  Sampling errors are typically too low when other techniques are used. 
B)  Sampling errors are typically too high when other techniques are used. 
C)  There is not a complete list of all Americans that can be used to identify the population. 
D)  It is the only method that allows for push polling. 
E)  It is the only method that generates high levels of measurement error.

Question 15

In order to draw a simple random sample of Americans, a researcher

Accepted Answer

A)  needs to interview at least 5,000 people. 
B)  needs to interview less than 1,000 people. 
C)  needs to interview at least 1,000 people. 
D)  needs a complete list of all the people in the United States. 
E)  needs only a random number generator. 
A)  needs to interview at least 5,000 people. 
B)  needs to interview less than 1,000 people. 
C)  needs to interview at least 1,000 people. 
D)  needs a complete list of all the people in the United States. 
E)  needs only a random number generator.

Question 16

The fact that Americans strongly support the idea that governmental interference with individuals' lives and property should be kept to a minimum illustrates their commitment to

Accepted Answer

A)  anarchy. 
B)  democracy. 
C)  liberty. 
D)  equality. 
E)  socialism. 
A)  anarchy. 
B)  democracy. 
C)  liberty. 
D)  equality. 
E)  socialism.

Question 17

Which of the following statements about governmental public relations efforts is not true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Due to its size and power, the government is always successful at influencing public opinion. 
B)  Despite its size and power, the government has trouble influencing public opinion because the news media frequently disputes its claims. 
C)  Despite its size and power, the government has trouble influencing public opinion because interest groups frequently dispute its claims. 
D)  Despite its size and power, the government has trouble influencing public opinion because there are often conflicts within the government about what should be done. 
E)  Modern presidents focus a great deal of attention on shaping public opinion to boost support for their policy agendas. 
A)  Due to its size and power, the government is always successful at influencing public opinion. 
B)  Despite its size and power, the government has trouble influencing public opinion because the news media frequently disputes its claims. 
C)  Despite its size and power, the government has trouble influencing public opinion because interest groups frequently dispute its claims. 
D)  Despite its size and power, the government has trouble influencing public opinion because there are often conflicts within the government about what should be done. 
E)  Modern presidents focus a great deal of attention on shaping public opinion to boost support for their policy agendas.

Question 18

Which of the following statements about agencies of socialization is incorrect?

Accepted Answer

A)  Family, membership in social groups, and education are all important agencies of socialization. 
B)  People's preference for a political party is primarily acquired through their family. 
C)  An individual's religion has no impact on their political views. 
D)  Attending college makes people more likely to participate in politics. 
E)  Both involuntary and voluntary social groups have an impact on their members' political views. 
A)  Family, membership in social groups, and education are all important agencies of socialization. 
B)  People's preference for a political party is primarily acquired through their family. 
C)  An individual's religion has no impact on their political views. 
D)  Attending college makes people more likely to participate in politics. 
E)  Both involuntary and voluntary social groups have an impact on their members' political views.

Question 19

Which of the following is not true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Knowledge of and interest in politics increases one's sense of political efficacy. 
B)  Knowledgeable citizens are better able to recognize their political interests and act consistently on behalf of them. 
C)  People with higher education, income, and occupational status are more likely to be both familiar with and active in politics. 
D)  People who are members of social or political organizations are more likely to be both familiar with and active in politics. 
E)  Political elites cannot influence people's ideas and beliefs. 
A)  Knowledge of and interest in politics increases one's sense of political efficacy. 
B)  Knowledgeable citizens are better able to recognize their political interests and act consistently on behalf of them. 
C)  People with higher education, income, and occupational status are more likely to be both familiar with and active in politics. 
D)  People who are members of social or political organizations are more likely to be both familiar with and active in politics. 
E)  Political elites cannot influence people's ideas and beliefs.

Question 20

The small group selected by pollsters to represent the entire population is called the

Accepted Answer

A)  validity quotient. 
B)  reliability quotient. 
C)  sample. 
D)  quota. 
E)  hypothesis. 
A)  validity quotient. 
B)  reliability quotient. 
C)  sample. 
D)  quota. 
E)  hypothesis.

Exam 6: Public Opinion

Survey experiments have shown that

The fact that many middle-class and lower-middle-class citizens who did not stand to benefit from President Bush's tax cuts seemed to favor them is an example of

Which of the following statements about the political opinions of Democrats and Republicans in the public is most accurate?

The transition many white southerners made from the Democratic to the Republican Party is a good example of

______ are used by researchers to measure public opinion on sensitive issues without letting respondents know what information is being sought.

The practice of push polling involves

Which of the following best characterizes the Clinton White House's attempts to influence public opinion?

Push polls are scientific surveys designed to assess the public's support for a policy or candidate by using a probability sample.

Which statement concerning the news media is not true?

How are political views formed? Describe some of the key processes and factors through which individuals become politically socialized. How do external institutions such as families and groups, as well as personal experiences, come to shape individual opinions?

A frequent cause of measurement error in polls is due to

Families, social groups, and schools are important institutions where people are politically socialized.

Pollsters use random digit dialing to gather national samples for surveys because

In order to draw a simple random sample of Americans, a researcher

The fact that Americans strongly support the idea that governmental interference with individuals' lives and property should be kept to a minimum illustrates their commitment to

Which of the following statements about governmental public relations efforts is not true?

Which of the following statements about agencies of socialization is incorrect?

Which of the following is not true?

The small group selected by pollsters to represent the entire population is called the

American Political Culture

The Founding and the Constitution

Federalism

Civil Liberties

Civil Rights

The Media

Political Participation and Voting

Political Parties

Campaigns and Elections

Groups and Interests

Congress

The Presidency

Bureaucracy in a Democracy

The Federal Courts

Government and the Economy

Social Policy

Foreign Policy and Democracy

The Political Culture, People, and Economy of Texas

The Texas Constitution

Parties and Elections in Texas

Interest Groups and Lobbying

The Texas Legislature

The Texas Executive Branch

The Texas Judiciary

Local Government in Texas

Public Policy in Texas

Filters