Political Socialization GOVT 2305, Unit 6 Political Socialization

Political Socialization The process by which individuals come to have certain core beliefs and political attitudes. We study socialization to learn why different individuals and groups of individuals have different attitudes and beliefs about government and politics. Would you expect people from similar backgrounds to have similar political views?

Lifelong Process Although the early years are the most important, political socialization continues through the life cycle.

It’s all about YOU! What is your first recollection of something political—an election, a political event, a parental discussion, something on television? People from different backgrounds, including international students, will have had different experiences.

More About You How interested and involved were your parents in government and politics? Do/did they vote? Do/did they pay attention to the news? Does your level of interest mirror that of your parents?

Involves Formal and Informal Learning Much of what we “learn” about politics and government was not “taught.”

Socialization Process Children personalize government. They identify the president and members of Congress with the political system before they understand processes such as elections and lawmaking.

Socialization Process Adolescents begin to resemble adults politically. They are able to separate individual roles from institutional roles, recognizing that it is possible to criticize the president, for example, while still supporting the office of the presidency.

Socialization Process Political events drive socialization during adolescence. Major events such as the Civil War and the Great Depression made a lifelong impression on generations of Americans. Did a big event make a big impression on you?

Socialization Process Political socialization continues into adulthood although at a slower pace than during childhood or adolescence. Both attitudes and basic knowledge levels about politics and government crystallize during early adulthood and tend to persist with comparatively little change in later years of life

Agents of Socialization Those institutions and individuals that shape the core beliefs and attitudes of people.

Family Families pass along attitudes about political participation. Children adopt the party attachment of their parents although similarities diminish over time.

School Civics classes teach basics Schools teach patriotism Youngsters learn to function in a power structure Schools practice self-government with student council election, etc.

Your school experienced What was your school like? Did it teach patriotism? Did you learn about voting and elections? Did you have mock elections? Question for international students: Does your country’s government use schools to teach support for government and the political system? If so, how?

Religious Institutions Americans are more religious than are most people in the developed world. Personal involvement in religious institutions is associated with participation. Religious institutions may also foster the development of particular political attitudes.

Peer Groups Personal communications among friends and coworkers help shape political attitudes and beliefs. For example, individuals who personally know someone who is gay or lesbian are more supportive of gay rights than are other people.

Would you date someone with different political views? Do you and your friends share the same set of political views? Did you choose friends that share you views? Did you change your views to match your friends?

What problem(s) currently receive the most media attention? Political scientists believe that the media, especially television, determine the relative importance that Americans attach to various national problems. What problem(s) currently receive the most media attention?

Popular Culture Much of popular culture—movies, music, and advertising—has political messages imbedded in it. Have you seen any movies lately that had political messages? Do any popular entertainers promote political causes?

Celebrities and Politics Kid Rock for Mitt Romney Lady Gaga for Gay Rights

What We Have Learned What is political socialization? How would you describe the socialization process? What are the most important agents of socialization and how do they affect individual political development?