Mr. McCormack

American Government

Central Dauphin High School

Chapter Nine – Interest Groups

Big Idea Worksheet

Study Guide

Section One: The Nature of Interest Groups (pages 236-240)

An interest group is:______. (p 236)

Interest groups are sometimes called ______, ______, or ______. (p 236)

Whatever they call themselves, interest groups seek to influence the making and content of ______(p 236).

Comparing Interest Groups to Political Parties
Area of Difference / Political Parties / Interest Groups
Making Nominations
Primary Focus
Scope of Interests

(p 237-238)

James Madison’s view of interest groups (“factions”) could be described as ______. (p 238)

Alexis de Tocqueville’s view of interest groups (“associations”) could be described as ______. (p 238-239)

Evaluating Interest Groups
Valuable Functions / Criticisms / Your Opinion
1. / 1.
2. / 2.
3. / 3.
4. / 4.
5. / 5.
6.

(p 239-240)


Mr. McCormack

American Government

Central Dauphin High School

Chapter Nine – Interest Groups

Big Idea Worksheet

Study Guide

Section Two: Types of Interest Groups (p 242-247)

There are two major categories of interest groups: those based on ______Interests, and those based on Other Interests. (p 243)

Groups Based on Economic Interests
Business Groups
Explanation:
Examples: / Agricultural Groups
Explanation:
Examples:
Labor Groups
Explanation:
Examples: / Professional Groups
Explanation:
Example:

(p 243-246)

Groups Based on Other Interests
Groups that Promote Causes
Explanation:
Examples: / Religious Organizations
Explanation:
Examples:
Groups that Promote the Welfare of Other Groups
Explanation:
Examples: / Public-Interest Groups
Explanation:
Example:

As a general rule, most interest groups will claim to be working for the “public good,” while in fact they are more concerned with the best interest of their own ______. (p 247)


Mr. McCormack

American Government

Central Dauphin High School

Chapter Nine – Interest Groups

Big Idea Worksheet

Study Guide

Section Three: Interest Groups at Work (p 249-254)

Interest groups employ many techniques to influence ______. (p 249) They do this to accomplish three major goals:

1.______

2.______

3.______

The goal of ______is to create a particular belief whether it is factual or fictional. (p 249)

The development of ______encouraged the use of propaganda. (p 250)

Propaganda does not use ______logic. It follows these steps: (p 250)

1.  Start with a ______.

2.  Bring together all ______that will support you and disregard any that will not.

3.  Present your argument in simple, interesting, and credible terms.

4.  Instead of attacking the logic of your opponents, attack it with ______.

5.  Use ______that will produce favorable reactions when describing preferred policies.

6.  Utilize ______, endorsements or supporting statements from well-known personalities.

7.  Use the ______to urge people to follow the crowd.

8.  The ______portrays you as a representative of the common people.

Interest groups try to influence the behavior of ______, and they do so in a number of ways: (p 250)

1.______

2.______

3.______

Lobbying
What it is:
How it happens:
How it’s regulated:

(p 251-254)