Identify and discuss the frames of reference that Americans rely upon when forming their political opinions.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The text outlines three of the major frames of reference through which Americans form their political opinions. The first is party identification, referring to a person's ingrained sense of loyalty to a political party. It often remains stable through adulthood, but can be influenced or changed by the issues or candidates of the moment. Another major frame of reference is political ideology, an individual's general belief about the role and purpose of government. In the United States, political ideology can be broadly broken down into groups such as economic or social liberals, economic or social conservatives, libertarians, or populists. A third broad frame of reference is group orientations-the ways in which individuals see politics through the lens of a group affinity. There are many different kinds of groups, including those defined by religion, economic class, region, race and ethnicity, gender, and age.