Public+Opinion+-+Defining,+Qualities

=Public Opinion = Jesse Kenney (editor), Tom Dupont, Derek Molkenbuhr

What is Public Opinion?
__Public Opinion__- the aggregate of individual attitudes or beliefs shared by some portion of the adult population. Americans tend to disagree on most topics. Since there are many subcultures and differing lifestyles in the U.S., there is no one public opinion. Sometimes there is a __consensus __ amongst the population a.k.a. when a large portion of the American public appears to express the same view on an issue. On the other hand, there is also sometimes a __divisive opinion __ a.k.a. when the public holds widely differing attitudes on specific issues.

Major Defining Qualities of Public Opinion:
 __Intensity__ - how strongly people are willing to express their private opinion determines the intensity of public opinion

__Fluidity__ - A public opinion is considered fluid when it changes drastically in a very short period of time. Fluidity is a reliable determinant of public awareness regarding government policy which in turn influences government decision making.

__Stability__ - Whether or not an opinion remains constant over a lifetime.

__Relevance__ - Public opinion that deals with issues that actually concern a specific individual or community.

Political Knowledge
People tend to base their opinions on knowledge they’ve gained through being interested in topics that they have strong feelings about. *Individuals who are strongly interested in a question will probably take the time to read about it. Politicians can use the public’s lack of interest/knowledge to either voting as they see fit or opposing any initiative.

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">What Molds Pubic Opinion?
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">The main tool in molding public opinion since the 1950’s has been the television. Television links people to the outside world and to politics and enables them to make opinions on what is going on. Public opinion is very important in the political sphere. Through voting and public opinions polls, the public is linked with the government and their politicians. Good public opinion polls need to be unbiased, scientific, and unambiguously worded to not sway results. However there is always room for error in a public opinion poll. But this is still the main way that the politicians find out what the public wants.

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">How Is Public Opinion Made Known in Society?
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;"> Protest <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Referendum <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Initiatives <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Lobbying <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Written Letters to officials

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> When Does Private Opinion Become Public?
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">1. When an opinion is strong enough to make someone vote a certain way

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">2. An opinion is publicly expressed at the workplace or any public forum

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">3. When an opinion is discussed on the TV or radio

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">4. When someone feels strongly enough about an issue to participate in a demonstration

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Vocabulary:

 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">__Public Opinion__- the aggregate of individual attitudes or beliefs shared by some portion of the adult population. Americans tend to disagree on most topics. Since there are many subcultures and differing lifestyles in the U.S., there is no one public opinion. **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">__Consensus__- when a large portion of the American public appears to express the same view on an issue **


 * __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Divisive opinion __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;"> - when the public holds widely differing attitudes on specific issues. **

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Review Questions:

 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">What Is Public Opinion? **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Name two defining qualities of public opinion. **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">What do good public opinion polls need to have? **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">What is the largest tool in molding public opinion? **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">What can you do to have your public opinion known? **

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=54903

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/public-opinion/news/2012/10/15/41441/public-opinion-snapshot-public-wants-to-give-legalization-a-chance/