Your Name

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Public Opinion

6.1 What are "direction," "salience," "intensity" and "stability" of public opinion? Why are they important to understand?

6.2 In the chapter on "The Nature and Role of Public Opinion" the authors present results of public opinion polls on matters such as race, gender, public policies and other topics. Pick one of these facets of public opinion and explain why it interested, surprised, angered, encouraged or otherwise affected you. This won't be graded, but I want to know that you are thinking.  Zen.    

6.3 What is "influence through anticipated reactions?" Give an example of how it works in politics. Give another example how it works in the classroom.    

6.4  On which of these policies would you expect the effect of public opinion on government actions to be [D]eterminative, [S]uggestive or [P]ermissive?    

reforming the welfare system

eliminating Social Security benefits for the elderly

setting grazing fees on federal lands in the West

economic treaties such as GATT and NAFTA

The Media

6.5 The authors make two important observations about news reporting : 1) credible sources make the news, and 2) fairness means giving two sides to every story. Briefly explain how these assumptions affect what we as consumers of the media learn about politics.

6.6 Which of the following are ways in which the media affect public opinion?

priming

agenda setting

changing direction

placing responsibility

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6.7 The "primary dynamic" in the struggle between reporters and the political elite is:  

select the best option interdependence of political elites and reporters the dominance of conservative corporate media owners the dominance of liberal reporters the dominance of political elites

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Questions or Comments? send e-mail to Dr. Werner at drblw@aol.com