C6 Public Opinion and Political Socialization

Public Opinion- politically related opinion held by ordinary citizens

that they express openly, verbal, protest, voting
Political Socialization- how people form their political orientations.
1. Mostly influenced by childhood learning- parents
2. Effect is cumulative. Poltical orientation grows firmer with age.
Prior attitude serves as a psychological screen through which new
information is filtered

The Political socialization process takes plae through agents of

socialization.

Can be divided into primary (family) and secondary (coworkers) agents

Primary Socializing Agents: Family, School, and Church

School enforce national loyalty- Washington! The Pledge of
Allegiance
Religious organizations- formative influence on chidrens
attitudes on societys obligation to the poor and the unborn

Secondary Agents of Socialization: Peers, Media, Leaders, and

Events
Indiciudals dont like to deviate too much from what their
peers think
Weaker people adopt the groups opinion
Media- agenda setting effect
Leaders- 911- Bush be like all misleading and shit
Major events- 911, war, watergate, and shitGenerational
effect

Frame of reference
Provide indication of how people think politically
They are basis for common cause

Party identification
Not formal membership
Early research suggest rarely changes, later reaseach shows
that it is more fliud then originally believed. It can be
influenced by the issue or the candidate at the moment
A HUGE NUMBER OF PEEPS CHANGE CUZ OF MOMENTOUS
SHIT- GREAT DEPRESSION- NEW DEAL. YOUNG R BECOME D
Even self described independents have a partisan tendency
Selective perception- people choose from incoming
information

Political Ideology

Ideology- general belief about the roles and purposes of

government
Economic/cultural Liberals/ conservatives
Populust(communitarian)- economic liberal and cultural
conservative
Libertarian- cultural liberal and economic conservative
Group orientation

Religion
Economic class
Rave n ethnicity
Gender
Genderations and age
Crosscutting groups