1. Political Ideology and Socialization

2. Political Ideology  Ideology: a set of basic beliefs about life, culture, government, and society.  Political Ideology: An individual’s or group’s set of beliefs about governmental or political structures and functions. Pearson Education, Inc. © 2006

3. How Political Socialization and other Factors Influence Ideology Formation  Political Socialization The process through which an individual acquires particular political orientations The learning process by which people acquire their political beliefs and values

4. Pearson Education, Inc. © 2006 Agents of Socialization  Family Family  Mass Media Mass Media  School School  Peers Peers

5. Family  Traced to communication and receptivity Pearson Education, Inc. © 2006

6. Mass Media Pearson Education, Inc. © 2006

7. School  Taught patriotism and respect  Citizenship Pearson Education, Inc. © 2006

8. Peers  As family wanes in influence, peers influence increases, especially in middle-school and high- school Pearson Education, Inc. © 2006

9. Social Groups  Group effects – certain characteristics that allow persons to be lumped into categories – also affect the development of political beliefs and opinions. Religion Age Race and Ethnicity Gender Region