Question 1

Based on recent polling data,what percentage of Americans is worried about government monitoring of personal information?

Accepted Answer

A)  20 percent 
B)  33 percent 
C)  56 percent 
D)  77 percent 
E)  89 percent 
A)  20 percent 
B)  33 percent 
C)  56 percent 
D)  77 percent 
E)  89 percent C

Question 2

A liberal would most likely support:

Accepted Answer

A)  an expansion in governmental social services 
B)  an increase in the federal military budget 
C)  prayer in the public schools 
D)  a ban on abortions 
E)  a reduction in foreign aid for poor countries 
A)  an expansion in governmental social services 
B)  an increase in the federal military budget 
C)  prayer in the public schools 
D)  a ban on abortions 
E)  a reduction in foreign aid for poor countries A

Question 3

In 1936,pollsters at the Literary Digest were guilty of ______ when they mistakenly predicted a presidential victory for Alf Landon over Franklin Roosevelt by polling people whose names came from the telephone book and automobile registration records.

Accepted Answer

A)  probability sampling 
B)  illusion of salience 
C)  random dialing 
D)  selection bias 
E)  push polling 
A)  probability sampling 
B)  illusion of salience 
C)  random dialing 
D)  selection bias 
E)  push polling D

Question 4

When George W.Bush supporters called conservative white voters during the 2000 South Carolina Republican primary to ask if they would be more or less likely to vote for John McCain if they knew that he had fathered an illegitimate black child,it was an example of:

Accepted Answer

A)  a push poll 
B)  a bandwagon poll 
C)  a saliency illusion 
D)  a selection bias 
E)  a nonresponse bias 
A)  a push poll 
B)  a bandwagon poll 
C)  a saliency illusion 
D)  a selection bias 
E)  a nonresponse bias

Question 5

Recent studies by political scientists have shown that:

Accepted Answer

A)  Americans' knowledge of politics is generally high 
B)  the average American exhibits little knowledge about political institutions, processes, or leaders 
C)  there is little connection between possessing political knowledge and being an effective citizen 
D)  younger people know much more about politics than older people 
E)  most Americans never make political decisions "on the cheap" by making use of shortcuts 
A)  Americans' knowledge of politics is generally high 
B)  the average American exhibits little knowledge about political institutions, processes, or leaders 
C)  there is little connection between possessing political knowledge and being an effective citizen 
D)  younger people know much more about politics than older people 
E)  most Americans never make political decisions "on the cheap" by making use of shortcuts

Question 6

The term gender gap refers to:

Accepted Answer

A)  differences in political opinions between men and women 
B)  differences in education and income levels for men and women 
C)  differing levels of political participation between the genders 
D)  differences in fundamental political values held by men and women 
E)  differences in the amount of attention elected officials give to men and women in their campaign speeches 
A)  differences in political opinions between men and women 
B)  differences in education and income levels for men and women 
C)  differing levels of political participation between the genders 
D)  differences in fundamental political values held by men and women 
E)  differences in the amount of attention elected officials give to men and women in their campaign speeches

Question 7

If I decide to support a candidate because I see that he or she is the front-runner in a poll,I become an example of:

Accepted Answer

A)  the bellwether effect 
B)  the illusion of saliency 
C)  the bandwagon effect 
D)  the "bounce" effect 
E)  push polling 
A)  the bellwether effect 
B)  the illusion of saliency 
C)  the bandwagon effect 
D)  the "bounce" effect 
E)  push polling

Question 8

One who supports abortion rights and opposes state involvement with religious institutions would be best described as a(n):

Accepted Answer

A)  liberal 
B)  conservative 
C)  socialist 
D)  internationalist 
E)  isolationist 
A)  liberal 
B)  conservative 
C)  socialist 
D)  internationalist 
E)  isolationist

Question 9

Which of the following statements about the relationship between public opinion and government policy is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)  Public opinion always shifts in opposition to government policy once the policy has been implemented. 
B)  Public opinion always shifts in favor of government policy once the policy has been implemented. 
C)  Shifts in public opinion almost never lead to changes in government policy. 
D)  Shifts in public opinion always lead to changes in government policy. 
E)  Although there is no one-to-one correlation between public opinion and government policy, shifts in public opinion on particular issues frequently lead to changes in government policy. 
A)  Public opinion always shifts in opposition to government policy once the policy has been implemented. 
B)  Public opinion always shifts in favor of government policy once the policy has been implemented. 
C)  Shifts in public opinion almost never lead to changes in government policy. 
D)  Shifts in public opinion always lead to changes in government policy. 
E)  Although there is no one-to-one correlation between public opinion and government policy, shifts in public opinion on particular issues frequently lead to changes in government policy.

Question 10

Political ideologies do not always provide us with a clear opinion on particular policies.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

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 12

The fact that survey respondents over-report voting in elections and the frequency of their church attendance is an example of:

Accepted Answer

A)  the Hawthorne effect 
B)  the coattail effect 
C)  the social desirability effect 
D)  the bandwagon effect 
E)  the median voter theorem 
A)  the Hawthorne effect 
B)  the coattail effect 
C)  the social desirability effect 
D)  the bandwagon effect 
E)  the median voter theorem

Question 13

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 14

Most Americans are unified in their belief in the principles of liberty,equality,and democracy.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

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 16

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 17

The fact that Americans strongly support the idea that governmental interference in 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 18

Which of the following statements about political opinions is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Race, income, and education cause important differences in opinion. 
B)  The poor are generally more supportive of economic and social programs than the wealthy. 
C)  The poor are generally less supportive of economic and social programs than the wealthy. 
D)  Whites and blacks have differing views on racism. 
E)  Women are more opposed to military intervention than men. 
A)  Race, income, and education cause important differences in opinion. 
B)  The poor are generally more supportive of economic and social programs than the wealthy. 
C)  The poor are generally less supportive of economic and social programs than the wealthy. 
D)  Whites and blacks have differing views on racism. 
E)  Women are more opposed to military intervention than men.

Question 19

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 20

What is one of the main differences between those who have gone to college and those who have not?

Accepted Answer

A)  Those with a college education are less likely to believe that women and men should have equal roles. 
B)  Those with a college education are more likely to believe that abortion should never be allowed. 
C)  There is a higher level of political participation among those with a college education. 
D)  There is a lower level of political participation among those with a college education. 
E)  Those with a college education are more likely to believe that the United States should not concern itself with other nations' problems. 
A)  Those with a college education are less likely to believe that women and men should have equal roles. 
B)  Those with a college education are more likely to believe that abortion should never be allowed. 
C)  There is a higher level of political participation among those with a college education. 
D)  There is a lower level of political participation among those with a college education. 
E)  Those with a college education are more likely to believe that the United States should not concern itself with other nations' problems.

Based on recent polling data,what percentage of Americans is worried about government monitoring of personal information?

A liberal would most likely support:

In 1936,pollsters at the Literary Digest were guilty of ______ when they mistakenly predicted a presidential victory for Alf Landon over Franklin Roosevelt by polling people whose names came from the telephone book and automobile registration records.

When George W.Bush supporters called conservative white voters during the 2000 South Carolina Republican primary to ask if they would be more or less likely to vote for John McCain if they knew that he had fathered an illegitimate black child,it was an example of:

Recent studies by political scientists have shown that:

The term gender gap refers to:

If I decide to support a candidate because I see that he or she is the front-runner in a poll,I become an example of:

One who supports abortion rights and opposes state involvement with religious institutions would be best described as a(n):

Which of the following statements about the relationship between public opinion and government policy is most accurate?

Political ideologies do not always provide us with a clear opinion on particular policies.

A frequent cause of measurement error in polls is due to:

The fact that survey respondents over-report voting in elections and the frequency of their church attendance is an example of:

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

Most Americans are unified in their belief in the principles of liberty,equality,and democracy.

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

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

Which of the following statements about political opinions is NOT true?

The practice of push polling involves:

What is one of the main differences between those who have gone to college and those who have not?

Introduction: The Citizen and the Government

The Founding and the Constitution

Federalism

Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

The Media

Political Parties,Participation,and Elections

Interest Groups

Congress

The Presidency

Bureaucracy

The Federal Courts

Domestic Policy

Foreign Policy

Filters

Exam 5: Public Opinion

Based on recent polling data,what percentage of Americans is worried about government monitoring of personal information?

A liberal would most likely support:

In 1936,pollsters at the Literary Digest were guilty of ______ when they mistakenly predicted a presidential victory for Alf Landon over Franklin Roosevelt by polling people whose names came from the telephone book and automobile registration records.

When George W.Bush supporters called conservative white voters during the 2000 South Carolina Republican primary to ask if they would be more or less likely to vote for John McCain if they knew that he had fathered an illegitimate black child,it was an example of:

Recent studies by political scientists have shown that:

The term gender gap refers to:

If I decide to support a candidate because I see that he or she is the front-runner in a poll,I become an example of:

One who supports abortion rights and opposes state involvement with religious institutions would be best described as a(n):

Which of the following statements about the relationship between public opinion and government policy is most accurate?

Political ideologies do not always provide us with a clear opinion on particular policies.

A frequent cause of measurement error in polls is due to:

The fact that survey respondents over-report voting in elections and the frequency of their church attendance is an example of:

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

Most Americans are unified in their belief in the principles of liberty,equality,and democracy.

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

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

Which of the following statements about political opinions is NOT true?

The practice of push polling involves:

What is one of the main differences between those who have gone to college and those who have not?

Introduction: The Citizen and the Government

The Founding and the Constitution

Federalism

Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

The Media

Political Parties,Participation,and Elections

Interest Groups

Congress

The Presidency

Bureaucracy

The Federal Courts

Domestic Policy

Foreign Policy

Filters