Chapter 6 Vocabulary
demography The science of population changes. census Process first conducted in 1790 to comply with the constitutional requirement that the government conduct an "actual enumeration" of the population every ten years. melting pot A mixture of cultures, ideas, and peoples. Simpson-Mazzoli Act Congressional Act which requires all employers to document the citizenship of their employees (as of June 1987). reapportionment Process which occurs every ten years following the census, and brings with it gains or losses of congressional representation as the states' population balance changes. political socialization The process through which a person acquires knowledge, a set of political attitudes and forms opinions about the political system and other social issues. opinion leaders People who have more than the usual amount of influence on the attitudes of others. reference group A group whose views serve as guidelines to an individual's opinion. primary group A group that a person comes into face-to-face contact with in everyday life; for example, friends, office associates, or a social club. secondary group An organization or group of people, such as labor unions or fraternal, professional, or religious groups, that may influence an individual's opinion. sample A relatively small proportion of people who are chosen as representative of the whole. population The group to be measured in a poll universe The total group from which poll takers select a random sample in order to measure public opinion. random sample A group, chosen by poll takers, that is representative of the universe being polled. (also known as a "probability sample") sampling error The amount of risk of inaccuracy involved in conducting a poll. random-digit dialing Method of polling in which calls are placed to telephone numbers within randomly chosen exchanges. cluster sampling A technique used by polling organizations in which several people from the same neighborhood are interviewed, with the geographic areas chosen at random. quota sample A method of polling, considered less reliable than a random sample, in which members of a particular group are interviewed in proportion to the group's percentage in the population as a whole. "bandwagon effect" The possible tendency of some voters or convention delegates to support the candidate who is leading in the polls and seems likely to win. exit poll Polling process in which voting places are randomly selected from around the country. As voters leave the polls in the selected locations, workers ask every tenth person how he or she voted. political ideology A coherent set of values and beliefs about public policy. political participation The many activities used by citizens to influence the selection of political leaders or the policies they pursue. protest A form of political participation designed to achieve policy change through dramatic and unconventional tactics, and protests today are often orchestrated to provide television cameras with vivid images. civil disobedience Consciously breaking a law that they think is unjust. ideology A coherent set of thoughts and beliefs about politics and government. conservative Conservatives stress that individuals should be responsible for their own well being, and should not rely on government assistance. They favor free market solutions to problems rather than looking to the government for regulating business. As a result, they tend to oppose government interference in the private sector and favor lower taxes and increased government spending. liberal Liberals believe that the government should be used to remedy the social and economic injustices of the marketplace. moderates People who view themselves as pragmatists who apply common sense rather than philosophical principles to political problems. interest group An organization of people with similar policy goals that tries to influence the political process to try to achieve those goals. pluralist theory Theory associated with interest groups which argues that interest group activity brings representation to all; groups compete and counterbalance one another. elite theory Theory associated with interest groups which argues that a few groups (mostly the wealthy) have most of the power. hyperpluralist theory Theory associated with interest groups which asserts that too many groups are getting too much of what they want, resulting in a government policy that is often contradictory and lacking in direction. potential group Group which is composed of all people who might be group members of an interest group because they share some common interest. actual group Group which is composed of those in the potential interest group who choose to join. Groups vary enormously in the degree to which they enroll their potential membership. collective good Something of value (such as clean air or a higher minimum wage) that cannot be withheld from a potential group member. Members of the potential interest group share in benefits that members of the actual interest group work to secure. lobbyists Political persuaders who are the representatives of organized groups. They normally work in Washington, handling groups' legislative business. electioneering The aiding of political candidates by interest groups, both financially and in getting their members to support them. political action committees (PACs) The campaign and election organizations created in recent years by many special interest groups to support their political views. amicus curiae briefs Also known as "friends of the court briefs," consist of written arguments by non-litigants which are submitted to the appellate courts in support of one side of a case. class action lawsuits Lawsuits which enable a group of similarly situated plaintiffs to combine similar grievances into a single lawsuit.
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