Chapter 16 Wrap-Up

  1. How does public opinion relate to the political process?
  2. What are some of the factors that influence public opinion?
  3. What has contributed to the increase in influence the media have over public opinion?
  4. How is public opinion measured?
  5. Who pioneered the modern American poll?
  6. What issues must one consider when conducting or examining poll results?
  7. Why have exit polls been criticized?
  8. What are the most important roles of the media?
  9. What does the media’s gatekeeper function involve?
  10. How do the media promote the public good?

Chapter 17 Wrap-up

  1. What are interest groups? Why do people form them?
  2. What are the different types of interest groups?
  3. How do interest groups attempt to influence the political system?
  4. What functions do interest groups fulfill in the political system?
  5. How might interest groups be beneficial to the political system? How might they be harmful?
  6. What are the limitations on interest groups’ influence?

Chapter 18 Wrap-up

  1. What are political parties, and why are they important to the political system?
  2. What are the primary functions of political parties in the United States?
  3. What issues led to the creation of the first political parties in the United States?
  4. What are some significant changes caused by political parties?
  5. What role have third parties played in the United States?
  6. Was the sphere of influence strongest during the 1800s at the national, state, or local level? How has this changed?
  7. What activities do state parties perform?
  8. What are some criticisms of political parties?
  9. How do political parties promote the public good?

Chapter 19 Wrap-up

  1. What is the most common means of nominating candidates today? What are the other means of nominating candidates?
  2. What are the three main steps in the electoral process?
  3. How did campaigns change during the 1900s?
  4. What are the requirements for voting in the United States today?
  5. What limitations existed on voting in the past?
  6. Why are campaigns sometimes criticized?