Unit 2: American Political Behavior
Political values and behaviors are fundamental driving forces of policy in a democracy. Political scientists study political socialization to understand and predict political behaviors and the impact of differing values and have developed tools for analyzing public opinion. In this unit, we explore how citizens learn about politics, political participation and voting behavior, the influence of public opinion, the role of the media, and a variety of factors that shape how citizens differ in terms of their political perceptions, values, and attitudes.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 4 hours.
Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- define the primary sources of political socialization in American society;
- describe the special role of the media and how it influences the American public and political behavior;
- describe public opinion, how it is measured, and how it has evolved in American politics;
- discuss how public opinion polling influences electoral outcomes;
- differentiate various methods voters employ to participate in politics; and
- explain the characteristics of voter turnout, party identification, and issue preferences on how people vote.
2.1: Political Socialization
Political socialization refers to how we learn the values, beliefs, and behaviors that shape our perception of politics and our level and type of participation. In this section, we explore various sources of political socialization and how they impact the development of your political values, beliefs, and behaviors.
Read this article, which defines several types of political ideology. While these ideologies may help explain large political movements, few individuals follow one ideology exclusively. A typical citizen agrees with ideas from several ideologies. This explains why American politics, public opinion, and behavior are dynamic.
Read this article on the sources of our political socialization. Before you begin reading, make a short list of five beliefs you hold about politics. These may be specific opinions about a policy or general beliefs about how politics works. What sources of political socialization have influenced the beliefs you listed?
2.2: The Media
The media is often described as the "fourth estate" because it often fulfills an oversight role of government. In this vision, journalists act as public surrogates – monitoring and investigating the actions of politicians and institutions to provide citizens with the information they need to make informed decisions for voting and political participation. Others believe the media is slanted, delivering talking points and biased information directed by the political parties and interests that have captured journalists. In the following readings, we explore these two views of the media. We also reflect on how media coverage influences politics.
Read this text on different types of media and the evolution from print to new media in the United States.
Read this text on government attempts to regulate the media. Should the media be regulated? If so, what limits should be put in place? If not, how can citizens ensure they receive accurate information?
Read this text on the media's impact on our political conversations, government, and campaigns. What are some examples of priming in the media you consume?
Watch these videos on how new media has affected American elections and the government. How did Barack Obama use the power of new media, including social media, to connect with voters and strengthen the grassroots component of his campaign during the 2008 election?
2.3: Public Opinion
Public opinion is complex, and scholars have developed various interpretations of what public opinion means. Political socialization is a process by which people develop the attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviors conducive to becoming good citizens. Our understanding of the political world often comes through our exposure to and interaction with the media.
Read this text that defines public opinion and identifies how political ideology and socialization inform public opinion.
Read this text that describes the components of a public opinion survey. Have you ever completed a survey on your political opinions? If so, did you experience the Bradley effect?
Read this text that examines large trends in public opinion regarding U.S. political institutions over time. How do your opinions of these institutions, such as Congress, compare with the findings of past surveys?
Read this text on how public opinion polls impact elections. What are the bandwagon effect and horse race coverage? Do public opinion polls have a positive or negative impact on American elections?
2.4: Political Participation and Voting
Political participation is a fundamental necessity for a democratic system. Voting is a cornerstone of this participation. Let's examine voting behavior and intensity and the reasons for low voter turnout. Voting, or suffrage, has not always been extended to every member of society in the United States. Here, we explore the impact of the women's suffrage movement.
Watch this presentation on voting behavior, voter turnout, and how change depends on certain conditions.
Read this article on the women's suffrage movement in the United States. It describes how American women finally won the right to vote when the 19th Amendment was ratified on August 18, 1920.
Unit 2 Assessment
- Receive a grade
Take this assessment to see how well you understood this unit.
- This assessment does not count towards your grade. It is just for practice!
- You will see the correct answers when you submit your answers. Use this to help you study for the final exam!
- You can take this assessment as many times as you want, whenever you want.