1. Partner Discussion What are the norms of our political system?
What are your most salient political views, how did you obtain them?
Should government officials consider public opinion when making decisions or should they just do what they think is best? (delegate v. trustee model)
How might a politician find out what public opinion is on a particular issue?

2. Discussion Questions
What are the positive and negative qualities of each of these methods.

3. Political Socialization
What influences your political thinking?

4. Political Socialization
process by which political culture is transmitted through society
occurs at both the individual and community level
variety of agents contribute to shaping
Lead us to obtain our political beliefs

5. Main Agents of Socialization:
Primary (direct influence) - family, peer groups
Secondary (less personal, indirect) - media, educational institutions, religious institutions, workplace, state actors

6. Socialization & Polling
Companies and candidates attempt to gain an understanding of the public’s political culture in order to better market their products and candidate’s campaign.

7. Important elements for a scientific poll
Random Sampling
Large Sample Size
Non-Biased Questions

8. Video Clip from PBS NewsHour