Public Opinion and Political Behavior in Political Science

How do citizens form their political views, and how do those views shape the democratic process? Understanding public opinion is crucial for analyzing modern political behavior and policy decisions. This text-only course guides you through the foundational theories and modern empirical methods used to study public opinion. You will learn to critically analyze polling data, understand the psychological drivers of political beliefs, and explore how digital media influences collective behavior. What you'll learn: Understand the core theories of public opinion formation and political socialization; Analyze how survey design, polling methodology, and modern sampling techniques affect data accuracy; Explore the psychological factors, cognitive biases, and social identities that drive political attitudes; Examine the role of traditional news and modern digital media in shaping public discourse; Evaluate empirical research to distinguish between correlation and causation in political behavior. You will start with essential terminology and the historical foundations of public opinion research before progressing to modern polling methodologies, media influence, and data interpretation. Designed for beginners, this course requires no prior background in political science, statistics, or data analysis. Start reading today to master the fundamentals of political behavior and public opinion.