The Formation of Public Opinion

US GovernmentMr. Stroman

What is Public Opinion?

• Despite the conventional wisdom, “the public” holds many differing and often conflicting views about political issues.

• Not many issues capture the attention of all, or even most, Americans

• Public opinion includes only those views that relate to public affairs, which are those events and issues that concern the people at large.

Public Opinion Defined

• Those attitudes held by a significant number of people on matters of government and politics.

• Better understood in the plural, as the opinions of different groups of people

• Can take the form of votes, protests, films, billboards, and other stuff

Family & Education

• We looked at political socialization in Chapter 6, and that of course plays a huge role in the shaping of public opinon.

• We’re going to take a closer look at some specific agents of political socialization

Family

• The attitudes and values your parents instill in you inform your political opinions later in life.

• Family has such a strong influence on someone’s opinions because of the near-monopoly the family has on a child in his or her earliest and most impressionable years.

School

• Schools teach the values of the American political system, to instill young children with loyalty to a particular cause or idea.

• Much informal learning occurs in schools as well, such as lessons about similarities and differences between groups, how decisions can be made, and compromise.

• The older you get, the more specific political opinions you acquire.

Mass Media

• Mass media are those means of communication that reach large, widely dispersed audiences

• TV, radio, newspapers, Internet, magazines

Other Factors

• Peer groups, or those with whom one regularly associates.– Usually reinforces opinions already formed

• Opinion leaders, or people who exert a strong influence on the views of others

• Historic events can have a huge impact on the opinions of large numbers of people.

Assignment

• I want you to read or listen to the views of a recognized opinion leader on a particular topic.

• List both supporting and opposing arguments for the leader’s point of view on an issue and summarize your reactions to the leader’s views.

• Opinion leaders to choose from (must be one of these):

Megan McArdle Maureen DowdMark McKinnon Karl RoveCharles Krauthammer Ron KlainGeorge WillEugene Robinson• Start in class, finish at home. Anyone I see not

working on task in class will have points deducted from their grade on this assignment.