Extra Credit for Final Test Only from April 20th - May 1st !! Complete the survey linked below, print or forward the confirmation page to me for five extra credit points on your final test. www.hccs.edu/egls3 If you have any questions please not hesitate to contact me at
[email protected] or speak to me before or after class. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Chapter 5: Public Opinion and the Media “If we understand the mechanism and motives of the group mind, is it not possible to control and regiment the masses according to our will without their knowing about it?.... In almost every act of our daily lives, whether in the sphere of politics or business, in our social conduct or our ethical thinking, we are dominated by the relatively small number of persons...who understand the mental processes and social patterns of the masses. It is they who pull the wires which control the public mind.” - Edward Barneys, Propaganda (1928) Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman What is Public Opinion? Public Opinion: Citizens’ views on politics and government action. - Some opinions are formed early and remain stable throughout a lifetime. - “Latent” opinions are more fluid and very with events. Importance of public opinion: “When people want government to do more, spending increases more rapidly; when people want less from government, spending goes down.” Textbook p. 127 Is it true? “If people feel obligated to help others in need, they are more likely to support government programs that benefit the poor.” Copyright ©Textbook 2011 Pearson Education, p.