Consider: What has been the biggest influence on YOUR political opinions? The Last Word: Assignment 4 for Monday "After all the recent security breaches at the White House, Julia Pierson, the director of the Secret Service, resigned today. She said she'll miss being in the White House, but knowing the Secret Service, she should be able to come back any time she wants. The door is always open, literally." –Jimmy Fallon "The Secret Service let an armed ex-convict ride on the same elevator as President Obama. No word yet on which NFL player it was." –Conan O'Brien "The Secret Service maintains they can use lethal force to stop someone from entering the White House. After hearing this, President Obama invited tea party leaders over for lunch." –Conan O'Brien "Congratulations to Chelsea Clinton, who gave birth to a baby girl named Charlotte on Friday. Or as Hillary described the baby, 'Third in line to the throne.'" –Jimmy Fallon "Chelsea Clinton gave birth to a baby girl. And get this, she's already said her first word: 'Iowa.'" –Jimmy Fallon

Forming and Shaping Political Opinions Unit 2 AP Government and Politics

Political Socialization The process by which we “learn” about politics and how to view it (“do” it). ◦ Influences on your political opinions change over time in both source and intensity Induction into political culture, and norms ◦ How beliefs are shaped

The sources of American political culture How did our history influence the development of our unique PC? ◦ Protection of Rights ◦ Distrust of authority ◦ Peaceful transitions of power ◦ Religious diversity/separation from government

Forming and Shaping Political Opinions Unit 2 AP Government and Politics

Forming Political Opinions  Where do most Americans learn what it means to be an “American”?  What has taken the place of the family in many cases?  Family, Peers, and School  Family influence Children learn political beliefs at early age  Peers are influential in middle or high school  Political socialization in school  Demographic Characteristics  Men vs. Women (the Gender Gap)  Also affected by education, number of children, and marital status  Race – and within races; “the Hispanic question”  Age  Religion 10.4

TABLE 10.1: Do men and women think differently about political issues? 10.4

FIGURE 10.3: What are the ideological identifications of first-year college students? 10.4

Shaping our opinions There are several different ways that our opinions can be shaped after they have been primarily formed…

The Mass Media  Traditional news sources Americans are turning away from them Less cable TV news and newspapers  Non-traditional news media Talk radio, online magazines, blogs  Cable and Internet Often skewed; better off with Sunday morning talk, Daily Show and NPR

Cues from Leaders or Opinion Makers  Political leaders use media to influence public  Press conferences, media events, press releases  President uses media as a bully pulpit  Why is this more effective for the president? 10.4

Political Knowledge  Political knowledge and political participation Have a reciprocal effect on each other  Americans’ level of civic knowledge Lower than 50 years ago 10.4

TABLE 10.2: What is the extent of Americans’ political knowledge? 10.4