Public Opinion and the Media

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Public Opinion and the Media
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Public Opinion the Media

• Problems in assessing public opinion
• Knowledge of the issues
• Wording of the questions
• Opinions can change dramatically over time

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Dimensions of Public Opinion

• Intensity
• Saliency
• Stability
• Direction

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The Origins of Political Attitudes

• Family
• Religion
• Gender
• Women and support for the democratic party

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The Origins of Political Attitudes

• Education
• college students versus general public
• prestigious universities versus community
  colleges
• seniors versus 1st year students

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The Origins of Political Attitudes

• Race
• Similarities and Differences 
• Geographic region

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Political Culture

• Individual Liberty
• Individual Responsibility
• Equality
• Political Equality versus Economic Equality

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Political Culture

• Faith in Democracy
• Civic Duty
• Political Efficacy
• Political Tolerance
• Trust in Government

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