Final answer:
Public opinion, which encompasses attitudes and beliefs about issues and events, is a complex mix of evaluations and closely held ideas. These ideas and attitudes are influenced by personal experiences, education, social influences, and major events that may shape a person's political ideology and worldview.
Step-by-step explanation:
The beliefs and attitudes that people have about issues and events are collectively referred to as public opinion. This encompasses a wide range of concepts such as political ideologies, belief systems, and worldviews. Public opinion is not just a singular concept but a complex interaction between different beliefs and attitudes that people hold based on their experiences, socialization, and the values they were taught in childhood.
Attitudes reflect our evaluation of a person, idea, or object and have three components: affective (feelings), behavioral (the effect of the attitude on behavior), and cognitive (belief and knowledge). On the other hand, beliefs are closely held ideas that support our values and influence our expectations about life and politics. Together, they form the basis of our political ideology, which guides our views on how we believe the government should function.
Whether they are formed through personal experiences, such as encountering racism, or through societal influences like education, media, and family, these worldviews significantly shape our behavior and the way we interpret information around us. Additionally, specific events can profoundly impact attitudes and beliefs, leading to changes in public opinion.