Public Opinion & Polling

1. Public Opinion & Polling Discussions & Activity Chapter 11.1

2. What is public opinion? Why is it important to our democracy? • The attitudes and beliefs held by a significant number of Americans. • Importance: • Republic • Will of the majority • Direction of public policy

3. Sources that influence public opinion • Personal Background • Demographic factors affect opinions: Men think differently than women; income shapes opinions; Race shapes views; occupation affects views, age and world experience also shapes opinions. • The Mass Media • Images, poignant stories, bandwagon issues, and watchdog stories all shape public opinion

4. Sources that influence public opinion • Public Officials • The President is the biggest shaper of public opinion. He communicates directly with Americans through the media. This is called the “Bully Pulpit.” • Franking privilege helps members of Congress communicate with constituents. • Interest Groups • Lobby members of all branches to support their group’s views. Use mass media to get out their message.

5. 3 features of public opinion • Direction • Do people generally feel negatively or positively about a topic? • Intensity • How strongly do people feel about a topic? • Stability • How likely are opinions about a topic likely to change?

6. Polling Basics • To truly measure public opinion, the sample must be reflective of the diverse nature of the population. • Random sampling helps ensure diversity; everyone has an equal opportunity of being polled. • Push polling is when the pollster asks a loaded question to elicit the response they want from the sample. • These polls are biased and unreliable. • Wording must be neutral without a right or wrong answer to properly measure public opinion.

7. Why are polls not always accurate? • Biased sample • Uninformed sample • Biased question • Biased pollster • Bandwagon issues

8. Polling Activity • You & a partner will choose a topic on which to gauge the class’s opinion. No two groups may poll on the same topic. • Phrase a non-biased question about your subject by which to gauge the class’s opinion. This should NOT be a yes or no question! •  Poll the class as your sample. • Interpret your results.

9. Final Product • Requirements • Write the question at the top of the paper. • Using a bar graph, plot out your results, visually displaying the view and the number holding the view. • Label the bar graph with an easily identifiable legend. • Determine the direction of the class’s opinion and explain your assessment. • Analyze the intensity of the class’s opinion. • Assess the stability of the class’s opinion. Include what you feel may or may not change the views of your classmates. • Due at the beginning of class tomorrow. Do the research today. Complete the product before tomorrow.