American Government – Public Opinion:
1. How does political socialization support the status quo? Give specific examples of agents of socialization that support the status quo (e.g., family, school, peers, mass media, adult socialization). Under what conditions might political socialization not support the status quo?
2. Trace the history of measuring public opinion from straw polls to current scientific methods. What are SLOP and push polls? Why are they considered to be negative examples of sound polling techniques?
3. How informed is the American public about government? What do you think accounts for the public’s misperception of government?
4. Discuss the impact of public opinion on social issues, race, and trust in government.