JAMB - Government (2025 - No. 88)
Public opinion is difficult to measure because it can be
transferred
communicated
manipulated
expressed
Explanation
Measuring public opinion is an inexact science highly susceptible to manipulation through various means:
-
Leading Questions: Pollsters can frame or word questions in a biased way to "manufacture" a desired response.
-
Media and Elite Influence: Politicians and interest groups often use rhetoric, advertising or misinformation to sway public perception before it is even measured.
-
Social Desirability: Respondents may lie or provide "insincere" answers to appear informed or to align with what they think is socially acceptable, making it hard to capture true beliefs.