POLS 207 DYER EXAM 2 QUESTIONS AND
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS LATEST 2025-2026
EXAM UPDATE |TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
Three types of political participation - Answer-Conventional
Unconventional
Illegal
Conventional participation - Answer-Voting, volunteering, campaign
donations, joining groups, running for office
Unconventional participation - Answer-Sit-ins, demonstrations,
protests, boycotts
Illegal participation - Answer-Assassination, terrorism, sabotage
, What are some ways in which participants in politics differ from the
overall population? - Answer-Older persons, Higher level of education,
"more at stake", married couples, high interest, greater political efficacy
swing state residents
Why would a person "rationally" choose to vote? - Answer-To receive
direct personal and tangible benefits from the election of one candidate
versus another
What are some reasons people might still vote even if it seems
'irrational' to do so? - Answer-Irrational voters vote out of a sense of
civic duty and commitment to democracy rather than a purely rational
basis.
Which types of elections is voter turnout highest? - Answer-Presidential
elections and regular elections
Which types of elections is voter turnout lowest? - Answer-Odd year
elections and local elections
What are some factors that might explain state differences in voter
turnout? - Answer-- Political culture
- Socioeconomic factors
- Partisan competitiveness
- Media "calling" elections early
- Variation in state laws
, African Americans - Answer-Since 30s have favored democratic
candidates
Hispanics - Answer-Diverse group with partisan differences in voting,
this demographic is the key to both parties' futures
Asians - Answer-More likely to register as independents
Women - Answer-Traditionally have not participated at same rate as
men. This gap is closing. Women in office comprise 1/4 of state
legislators. Women are more likely to vote democrat
How do the voting habits and choices of younger voters compare to
those of older voters? - Answer-- Younger voters fear being "frozen out"
of college education and home ownership
- Older voters have higher and more consistent turnout especially in
state, local politics and non-presidential election years
- 18-29 y/o more likely to vote democrat
- May agree on the "big problems" but not on priorities, causes, or cures
What are some 'unconventional forms of political participation? How do
these try to influence public officials and public policy? - Answer-
Unconventional participation is participation outside "the system".
Increasingly common at city and state levels.
Examples: Protesting
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS LATEST 2025-2026
EXAM UPDATE |TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
Three types of political participation - Answer-Conventional
Unconventional
Illegal
Conventional participation - Answer-Voting, volunteering, campaign
donations, joining groups, running for office
Unconventional participation - Answer-Sit-ins, demonstrations,
protests, boycotts
Illegal participation - Answer-Assassination, terrorism, sabotage
, What are some ways in which participants in politics differ from the
overall population? - Answer-Older persons, Higher level of education,
"more at stake", married couples, high interest, greater political efficacy
swing state residents
Why would a person "rationally" choose to vote? - Answer-To receive
direct personal and tangible benefits from the election of one candidate
versus another
What are some reasons people might still vote even if it seems
'irrational' to do so? - Answer-Irrational voters vote out of a sense of
civic duty and commitment to democracy rather than a purely rational
basis.
Which types of elections is voter turnout highest? - Answer-Presidential
elections and regular elections
Which types of elections is voter turnout lowest? - Answer-Odd year
elections and local elections
What are some factors that might explain state differences in voter
turnout? - Answer-- Political culture
- Socioeconomic factors
- Partisan competitiveness
- Media "calling" elections early
- Variation in state laws
, African Americans - Answer-Since 30s have favored democratic
candidates
Hispanics - Answer-Diverse group with partisan differences in voting,
this demographic is the key to both parties' futures
Asians - Answer-More likely to register as independents
Women - Answer-Traditionally have not participated at same rate as
men. This gap is closing. Women in office comprise 1/4 of state
legislators. Women are more likely to vote democrat
How do the voting habits and choices of younger voters compare to
those of older voters? - Answer-- Younger voters fear being "frozen out"
of college education and home ownership
- Older voters have higher and more consistent turnout especially in
state, local politics and non-presidential election years
- 18-29 y/o more likely to vote democrat
- May agree on the "big problems" but not on priorities, causes, or cures
What are some 'unconventional forms of political participation? How do
these try to influence public officials and public policy? - Answer-
Unconventional participation is participation outside "the system".
Increasingly common at city and state levels.
Examples: Protesting
