POLS 1101 Lecture 20: Public Opinion
10 Jan 2019
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Document Summary
Public opinion: aggregation of individual opinions on issues concern to the public. Framers realized the importance of public opinion and popular input. But the framers wanted to insulate government from popular passion and demagogues. How do they know what their constituents want: look up polling. If they want to be re-elected: delegate model of representation, officials should follow the will of constituents, trustee model of representation, officials should consider the will of constituents, but should do what they believe is best. Value: basic feelings about what is right or best. Beliefs: predispositions about what is true or false. Attitudes: consistent negative or positive reactions to an object or situation. Process through which people learn about the political world and develop political efficacy. Agents of socialization: family, school, peers, social class, religion, demographic: age, race, gender, marital status. Features: careful analysis, problems, social desirability bias: respondents answer in a way that is views favorably by others .
