Public Opinion
Definition
This refers to how people feel about particular issues, leaders, institutions, events which is usually measured through opinion polls.
Analogy
Public opinion is like movie ratings - just as audiences rate movies based on their likes and dislikes, the public forms opinions on various issues based on their beliefs and experiences.
Related terms
Political Socialization: The process by which individuals learn and form opinions about political issues, events, and personalities.
Opinion Polls: Surveys that attempt to measure public opinion by asking questions about a variety of topics.
Media Influence: The effect that news outlets have on shaping public opinion.
"Public Opinion" appears in:
Subjects (5)
Study guides (3)
Practice Questions (20+)
How do opinion polls shape public opinion?
Why is public opinion considered a source of political influence in democratic systems like the United States?
If Madison's arguments in Federalist No.10 failed to sway public opinion during ratification debates, what could be one possible consequence?
What impact might strong public opinion have on congressional voting behavior?
How does public opinion typically affect a President's executive actions?
What primary role allows a President to influence public opinion directly?
Which action best demonstrates how public opinion can act as a check on presidential power?
How does public opinion function as an informal check on the U.S presidency?
How has changing public opinion about LGBTQ+ rights influenced legal decisions?
What is a potential effect when a Supreme Court ruling aligns closely with public opinion?
What effect does public opinion have on Supreme Court decisions?
What role does public opinion play in checking judicial power?
Which tool does public opinion use to exert influence over court rulings?
Which of the following is a way that public opinion can limit judicial power?
How do bureaucratic agencies generally respond to public opinion?
How did public opinion during the Vietnam War era impact governmental decision-making processes?
How did the Vietnam War affect public opinion regarding minority rights in America?
What has been a common trend regarding public opinion towards affirmative action since its inception?
How does media coverage influence public opinion of a political scandal?
How has public opinion on same-sex marriage changed over recent decades?
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