By Far the Most Common Way of Judging Public Opinion

question 60

Essay

By far the most common way of judging public opinion is through the use of mass surveys. What are the main attributes of mass surveys? What are some of their principal strengths and weaknesses when used to understand public opinion? Are mass surveys, on the whole, a reliable way to understand public opinion? Why or why not?

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Definitions:

External Attribution

The process of attributing the cause of one's own or others' behavior to external factors or situations.

Stable External

A term used to describe factors outside an individual that are consistent and unchanging, influencing behavior or circumstances.

Unstable External

This refers to external attributions for behavior that are variable or subject to change, such as luck or temporary circumstances.

Stable Internal

A term describing traits, beliefs, or motivations within an individual that are consistent over time and across different situations.