Transcript Whose Opinion do you care about? What News do you listen to

Do Now:
Whose Opinion do you care about?
What News do you listen to?
Radio?
Internet?
TV?
Formation of Public Opinion
• Means most or nearly all Americans believe
something or hold the same view on an issue.
• To be a public opinion, must involve something of
general concern and of interest to a significant
portion of the people.
• Sports teams, favorite foods, and popular movies
are not public opinion in the proper sense.
Different Publics
• Public groups can change depending on
the issue.
• Each group with a different point of view is
a separate public.
• Public opinion is the sum of all views.
What shapes Public Opinion?
occupation
Opinion
leaders
race
Public
Opinion
education
Peer
groups
Mass
media
Historic
events
family
Influences on public opinion
• Family: Learn political attitudes by absorbing
everyday conversations and stories about
politicians and issues by watching the actions of
family members
– Children see the political world thru their parents’ eyes
Influences on public opinion
• Educational Influence: we learn about
the US political system from early grades
– Learn citizenship skills thru school rules and
regulations
– The level of education a person has
influences his/her political knowledge and
participation ~ “the more you know”
Influences on public opinion
• Mass Media: Newspapers, magazines,
television (the most influential source) and radio
have an impact on political socialization
– Media determines what issues, events, and
personalities are in the public eye, determines the
relative importance of issues – what people will talk
and think about
– Most influential to those people who have not formed
an opinion about an issue being discussed
– 98% of American households have at least one
television
Influences on public opinion
• Peer Groups: usually reinforce what you
already believe
– Group of people who share a number of
social characteristics
– Close friends, classmates, coworkers, club
and church members
Influences on public opinion
Opinion Leaders: Those people who can
strongly influence the views of others.
State and community leaders influence the opinion of their
fellow citizens
• Public officials, religious leaders, teachers, or celebrities
(sports figures, movie stars, etc.)
• Celebrities have played an increasing role as opinion
leaders in American politics.
Influences on public opinion
• Economic Status and Occupation
– Poorer people more likely to favor government
assisted programs than wealthier people
– People working for non-profit organizations
– Factory workers more likely to favor National
Healthcare
Influences on public opinion
• Age – not a central role in determining political
preferences
– Younger  generally more liberal, more progressive
when it comes to race & gender equality
– Older  generally more conservative
Summary
• What is public opinion?
• What influences public opinion?