Final Psci 1101 Exam Questions With
Correct Answers.
Interest groups - answer✔✔An organization of people who share common political interests and
aim to influence public policy by electioneering and lobbying.
linkage institutions - answer✔✔institutions such as political parties, interest groups, the media,
and elections that are channels through which individuals can communicate their preferences to
policy makers
interest group state - answer✔✔A government in which most policy decisions are determined by
the influence of interest groups.
centralized groups - answer✔✔Interest groups that have a headquarters, usually in Washington,
D.C., as well as members and field offices throughout the country. In general, these groups'
lobbying decisions are made at headquarters by the group leaders.
Confederation - answer✔✔interests groups made up of several independent, local organizations
that provide much of their funding and hold most of the power
revolving door - answer✔✔The movement of individuals from government positions to jobs
with interest groups or lobbying firms, and vice versa.
iron triangles - answer✔✔informal alliance of elected officials, bureaucrats and interests groups,
designed to let these groups and individuals dominate the policy-making process in a given area
mass associations - answer✔✔interest groups that have a large number of dues-paying
individuals as members
peak associations - answer✔✔interest groups whose members are businesses or other
organizations rather than individuals
collective action problem - answer✔✔A situation in which the members of a group would
benefit by working together to produce some outcome, but each individual is better off refusing
to cooperate and reaping benefits from those who do the work.
free riding - answer✔✔Relying on others to contribute to a collective effort while failing to
participate on one's own behalf, yet still benefiting from the group's successes.
, ©THEBRIGHT EXAM STUDY SOLUTIONS 8/22/2024 12:54 PM
selective incentives - answer✔✔Benefits that can motivate participation in a group effort
because they are available only to those who participate, such as member services offered by
interest groups.
solidary benefits - answer✔✔Satisfaction derived from the experience of working with like-
minded people, even if the group's efforts do not achieve the desired impact.
purposive benefits - answer✔✔Satisfaction derived from the experience of working toward a
desired policy goal, even if the goal is not achieved.
coercion - answer✔✔A method of eliminating nonparticipation or free riding by potential group
members by requiring participation, as in many labor unions.
material benefits - answer✔✔Benefits that are provided to individuals for joining a group, such
as a coffee mug or a T-shirt, that are distinct from the collective benefits provided by the group.
inside strategies - answer✔✔The tactics employed within Washington, D.C., by interest groups
seeking to achieve their policy goals.
outside strategies - answer✔✔The tactics employed outside Washington, D.C., by interest
groups seeking to achieve their policy goals.
direct lobbying - answer✔✔attempts by interest group staff to influence policy by speaking with
elected officials or bureaucrats
grassroots lobbying - answer✔✔A lobbying strategy that relies on participation by group
members, such as a protest or a letter-writing campaign.
astroturf lobbying - answer✔✔Any lobbying method initiated by an interest group that is
designed to look like the spontaneous, independent participation of many individuals.
Political Action Committee (PAC) - answer✔✔An interest group or a division of an interest
group that can raise money to contribute to campaigns or to spend on ads in support of
candidates. The amount a PAC can receive from each of its donors and the amount it can spend
on federal electioneering are strictly limited.
527 organizations - answer✔✔A tax-exempt group formed primarily to influence elections
through voter mobilization efforts and issue ads that do not directly endorse or oppose a
candidate. Unlike political action committees, they are not subject to contribution limits and
spending caps.
Referendum - answer✔✔A direct vote by citizens on a policy change proposed by a legislature
or another government body. Referenda are common in state and local elections, but there is no
mechanism for a national-level referendum.