1 of 7

Unit II A4: Political Socialization

2 of 7

I. Definition

  1. Political Socialization:
    1. How people obtain information, beliefs, attitudes and values that they base their political views upon.
    2. In plain English: Why people believe what they do

​

3 of 7

II. Agents of Socialization

(things that influence your beliefs)

  1. Groups:
    1. Family
      1. Provide structure for all belief
    2. Peer groups
      • Guide acceptable behavior and influences
      • Very important to adolescents
    3. Media
      • Filters information about the government and its role
      • Media chooses much of what citizens know, so it has a large impact.

​

​

4 of 7

2. Demographics

    • Gender
      • Men & women differ in their political views
      • Examples:
        1. Women less likely to support war
        2. Men less likely to support social programs to help families
    • Education
      • What you are taught & the narrative is nearly the same as media's influence
      • More education typically means more liberal... a LARGE portion of College professors are liberal...
    • Religion
      • Lays foundation for acceptable & unacceptable behaviors
      • Many morals & values are founded here.

​

​

5 of 7

D. Region you live in

i. Different regions have different political practices

ii. Peers & Culture?

iii. South: Conservative Northeast: Liberal

E. Social Class

i. Largely has to do with what you have and what you want to have

ii. Working class & poor=liberal. Wealthy = conservative.

F. Ethnicity

i. This is closely related to your cultural beliefs

ii. Disadvantaged groups often are more

liberal--they want or need gov't protection from

the majority

​

6 of 7

3. Time

a. Life-cycle

i. People's political ideas change based on their age.

ii. "If you're not a liberal at 20 you have no heart. If you're not a conservative at 40 you have no brain" (Churchill)

b. Period Effects

i. Major historical events that effect everyone

ii. Ex: 9/11 or economic depressions

c. Cohort Effects

i. Specific event that has influence over a

specific group of people

7 of 7

III. Typical Groups....

Liberal

  • Younger adults
  • Working class
  • Union members
  • Urban dwellers
  • Poor elderly
  • Minorities
  • Northeast US

​

Conservative

  • Older adults
  • Upper class
  • "Professional" workers
  • Rural & suburban dwellers
  • Largely white
  • South