Study Guide: Political Parties, Voting, Public Opinion and Mass Media
Chapters 5-9
What is a political party?
Democrats v. Republicans: What are the major differences?
Ideology
Nickname (only 1)
Platform
Current Leaders
Functions of political parties:
Methods used to limit African American’s voting rights:
Amendments - Be prepared to match these amendment numbers to the voting reform each caused:
13th
14th
15th
19th
23rd
24th
26th
How can states legally limit voting rights today?
What qualities make a person more likely to vote?
Three important functions of Minor Parties:
Factors that determine our opinions: List & explain briefly
Vocabulary:
Public Opinion
Margin for Error
Interest Group
Grass roots
Propaganda
Bandwagon Effect
Transfer
Plain Folk
Card-Stacking
Glittering Generalities
Name-Calling
Testimonial
What is the MOST accurate way to determine public opinion?
Straw Poll
How are these conducted?
Where might you encounter these?
What is the flaw with them?
Scientific Poll
How are these conducted?
Who developed this method?
Which type of poll is more reliable?
How do you interpret a poll using the ‘margin for error’? Give an example
Mass media
What type of media is used by most Americans to get information?
How can Media be a positive influence on public opinion?
How can Media be a negative influence on public opinion?
How are interest groups similar to political parties?
How are interest groups different from political parties?
How do interest groups try to influence politics?
Lobbyists
Know a little about each of the following interest groups:
MADD
AFL-CIO
Amnesty International
NRA
Sierra Club
PETA
AARP
ACLU