WHO ARE THE “PUBLIC” IN PUBLIC OPINION POLLS??
Political efficacy - belief that one can make a difference in politics by expressing an opinion & acting politically
- Internal efficacy - the belief that one can understand politics and therefore participate in politics (such as voting)
- External efficacy - the belief that one is effective in making a difference when participating in politics, for example that the government will respond to one’s demands
Polls
- Opinion poll – Interviews or surveys with samples of citizens that are used to estimate the feelings and beliefs of the entire population.
- Benchmark (tracking) poll – Researchers ask people the same or similar questions over time to “track” the path of public opinion.
- Entrance/exit polls – They are conducted outside of polling places on Election Day to predict the outcome of an election.
TYPE OF OPINIONS
•Stable: change very little (e.g., death penalty)
•Fluid: change frequently (e.g., presidential popularity) •Latent: dormant, but may be aroused (e.g., military draft) •Salient: have some personal importance to individuals (e.g. Brady & gun control) •Consensus: shared by 75% of the people or more (e.g., having a balanced budget) •Polarized: shared by less than 75% (e.g., gun control, ERA) |
Bradley Effect: people may life with answers they believe are more socially/politically correct (esp. for questions that may be about race, sexual orientation, or gender.
Bandwagon Effect: respondents may answer what they believe the pollster wants to here, people may support what they believe is the popular answer/candidate
Bandwagon Effect: respondents may answer what they believe the pollster wants to here, people may support what they believe is the popular answer/candidate