Political Socialization & Media Study Guide

Mr. Harrington

AP US Government

Chapter 9 Main Ideas

Public Opinion Basics

Be able to reference how public opinion affects our government

Framers
Direct elections of the House of Representatives
Powers of the House (impeach, revenue bills, vote if no candidate receives 270) are all given to enhance public opinion in our government
2 year terms
Amendment process (Can be initiated by the people)
10th amendment: Not in the constitution? Power falls to the state
Progressive Era
Initiative, referendum, recall, direct primary
Congressional voting
Delegate: voting on how the people back home would want them to vote

Be able to reference how public opinion does not affect our government

Framers
Senators were originally chosen by state legislatures
James Madison’s “Federalist #10” warns against dangerous factions and their threat to our government
Congressional Voting
Partisan: voting with the party

The Distribution of Public Opinion

Know the components to conducting a valid poll (how would one know if the poll is trustworthy?
Be familiar with how candidates for political office use public opinion polls
What is a straw poll?
What exactly is the margin of error in regards to polling

Political Socialization

Be familiar with the definition of political socialization
Be familiar with the Agents of Early Socialization (strongest to weakest). Two ideas to remember: 1. Political socialization continues throughout life. 2. The extent to which any political socializing agent is influential depends upon: Repetitive behavior, whether or not a person is familiar with the concepts before hearing it, the economic influence of the agent, & whether the family favorably supports the agent.
Why is childhood important for political socialization?
If your parents identify themselves with one political party and you disagree, where would you fall on the political spectrum?

Social Groups And Political Ideology

Democrat

Republican

Chapter 5 Vocabulary

Chapter 10 Main Ideas

Traditional Roles of the Media

Gatekeeper (Decides what is important and what is not)
Scorekeeper (Tracks elections like a horserace)
Watchdog (Role enhanced since Watergate Scandal. Making sure that elected officials are following the law)

Does the media display bias?

Functions of the Mass Media

The Development of The Mass Media In The United States
-Newspapers
-Magazines
-Radio
-Television
-The Internet

Private Ownership of The Media

What are the Consequences of Private Ownership? (Profit motivated, less diversity, more infotainment)
The Concentration of Private Ownership (What is happening today)
How exactly does the media cover elections? (Horserace journalism)

Media Influence on Politics

Be familiar with the following concepts

Chapter 10 Vocabulary