Civics notes

Mrs. Jordan’s Civics Chapter 11 Notes

Public Opinion-

What is it?

The ideas and attitudes that most (not all) people have about an idea or person. 

What is it’s role?

Helps shape the decisions of the president because it determines the voting of the congress.  ****Important to know: public opinion is not uniform.   There are usually two or more sides to every issue. 

Where does public opinion come from?

a)      Mass media- tv, radio, newspapers, magazines, recordings, movies, internet web sites, and books

b)      Public officials- people elected to office.

c)       Interest groups- also called Political Action Committees or (PACs) and Lobbyist

a.       AL Builders PAC

b.      AL Power Co State Employees PAC

c.       Mid-South Carpenters Regional Council AL PAC

d.      Plumbers and Steamfitters #119

e.      Sheet Metal Workers Local #441

f.        Alabama Republican Women PAC

g.       Planned Parenthood PAC

d)      Person’s background -Including family, socioeconomic, religion, and culture

What does socioeconomic mean?  The amount of money people make puts them in a location in society. 

What does culture mean?  The traditions and beliefs of a people based on where they live and the customs they are exposed to. (southern culture, b lack culture, northern culture)

Features of Public Opinion

1.        Direction- is the opinion of a subject positive or negative

Ex: After Columbine school shooting, do you think the opinion about gun control would be positive or negative?

2.       Intensity- strength of opinion

Ex: In Baltimore, do you think people had a strong opinion about the police and their “fairness” in issuing arrests and justice?

3.       Stability- how firmly hold to their views and beliefs

Ex: Discuss abortion and views.  Hold a vote. 

How do we Measure Public Opinion?

A series of questions are called a poll or survey. 

Polls are inaccurate because opinion can change. 

Pollsters- a person whose job is do conduct polls.

Polls can be worded so that the questions are asked in such a way to influence the answer. These types of polls are called Push polls. 

Quiz- (taken in class)

1. What is on place public opinion comes from?

2.   What is an example of a PAC?

3.  What is an example of a culture?

4.  What are 3 features of public opinion?

Homework:

Page 324 Question 2 and 3….due Thursday