University:
Bradley University
Course:
PLS 301 | Topics in American Politics
Academic year:

2023
Views:

213

Pages:

14
Author:

Cale Mejia

Mass Media & Public Opinion Chapter 8 The Formation of Public Opinion Chapter 8 Section 1 What is Public Opinion? • Widely used and widely misunderstood • “The People” disagree on just about every issue • Public opinion is a complex collection of the opinions of many different people Different Publics • Groups within the whole – many views on issues • Most public issues only attract some people • Know that public opinion only refers to public affairs – politics, public issues, and the making of public policy Definition • Public Opinion – those attitudes held by a significant number of people on matters of government and politics • In order to be “public opinion,” the expression of that opinion must be made publicly Factors that Shape Public Opinion • Family • Schools • Opinion Leaders • Mass Media • Mix of Factors Family • Children begin to learn here first. • Children will pick up some basic attitudes that will most likely affect their future opinions. School • Schools teach the values of the American political system. • They indoctrinate children to become “good citizens” • Must take Civics or American Govt. Mass Media • Television, radio, books magazines & newspapers. • Mass media has a large influence on public opinion. Peer Groups • Made up of the people associated with • Peers tend to reinforce ideas/beliefs you already have • People tend to socialize with others with the same interests Opinion Leaders • Anyone who has contact with fairly large number of people on a regular basis. • Public office, teachers, priests. • Some write in newspapers or are on television or radio. Ex: Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly, Rachel Maddow, Bill Maher, Keith Olbermann, etc. Historic Events • Over the course of our history, major events have shaped peoples opinions and attitudes • The Great Depression – changed views on the role of the government (Republicans to the Democrats) • Traumatic events of the 1960s and 1970s leads to divisiveness and distrust of the government Mix of Factors • No one factor shapes a person’s opinion. • Occupation & race are significant as well.