Download Public Opinion - Doral Academy Preparatory

Public Opinion
Public Opinion
Public opinion is the collection of differing attitudes
that members of a public have about a particular
issue.
– Subject to rapid change
– People seeking elected office pay much attention to
public opinion.
Propaganda
Politicians, interest groups, and businesses pay billions of
dollars to influence the public using seven types of propaganda
or advertising:
• Testimonials
• Transfer
• Bandwagon
• Name-calling
• Plain-folks
• Glittering generalities
• Card stacking
Propaganda Techniques
•Testimonials
•Use of endorsements by people. (ex. Sports heroes)
•People transfer their adoration for a celebrity to the products or
candidates
•Transfer
•Associates the product or candidate with something that the
public approves or respects (ex. American flag)
•Can be used negatively with something the public dislikes.
•Bandwagon
•Appeals to public’s desires to conform
•Used when people want to be in the winning side.
Propaganda Techniques
•Name-calling
•Negative labels or images against the competitor (ex. Reckless,
uncaring)
•Plain-folks
•Appeal to the average American.
•Using people we can identify with. (ex. Hard-workers)
•Glittering Generalities
•Using words that sound positive but have little meaning.
•Ex. Belief in freedom, democracy, etc.
•Card Stacking
•Presenting facts in a way that places products in a favorable light.
•Presents statistics or surveys that favor them.