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The Formation of Public Opinion
US GovernmentMr. Stroman
What is Public Opinion?
• Despite the conventional wisdom, “the public” holds many differing and often conflicting views about political issues.
• Not many issues capture the attention of all, or even most, Americans
• Public opinion includes only those views that relate to public affairs, which are those events and issues that concern the people at large.
Public Opinion Defined
• Those attitudes held by a significant number of people on matters of government and politics.
• Better understood in the plural, as the opinions of different groups of people
• Can take the form of votes, protests, films, billboards, and other stuff
Family & Education
• We looked at political socialization in Chapter 6, and that of course plays a huge role in the shaping of public opinon.
• We’re going to take a closer look at some specific agents of political socialization
Family
• The attitudes and values your parents instill in you inform your political opinions later in life.
• Family has such a strong influence on someone’s opinions because of the near-monopoly the family has on a child in his or her earliest and most impressionable years.
School
• Schools teach the values of the American political system, to instill young children with loyalty to a particular cause or idea.
• Much informal learning occurs in schools as well, such as lessons about similarities and differences between groups, how decisions can be made, and compromise.
• The older you get, the more specific political opinions you acquire.
Mass Media
• Mass media are those means of communication that reach large, widely dispersed audiences
• TV, radio, newspapers, Internet, magazines
Other Factors
• Peer groups, or those with whom one regularly associates.– Usually reinforces opinions already formed
• Opinion leaders, or people who exert a strong influence on the views of others
• Historic events can have a huge impact on the opinions of large numbers of people.
Assignment
• I want you to read or listen to the views of a recognized opinion leader on a particular topic.
• List both supporting and opposing arguments for the leader’s point of view on an issue and summarize your reactions to the leader’s views.
• Opinion leaders to choose from (must be one of these):
Megan McArdle Maureen DowdMark McKinnon Karl RoveCharles Krauthammer Ron KlainGeorge WillEugene Robinson• Start in class, finish at home. Anyone I see not
working on task in class will have points deducted from their grade on this assignment.