1. Political Beliefs and Behaviors

2. Political Culture
The characteristic and deep-seated beliefs of a particular people.
Liberty
Equality
Democracy
(Rugged) Individualism
Rule of Law
Nationalism
Capitalism
The “American Dream”
Civic Duty

3. Defining Public Opinion
What Is Public Opinion?
The distribution of individual preferences for or evaluations of a given issue, candidate, or institution within a specific population
Types of Public Opinion:
Consensus
Large proportion of the American public appears to express the same view on an issue
Divisive
Public has widely different views, polarized
Non-opinion
Lack of an opinion on an issue or policy
No information or not interested enough 3

4. Defining Public Opinion4

5. Defining Public Opinion5

6. Defining Public Opinion6

7. How Public Opinion Is Formed: Political Socialization
We form our attitudes through participation in groups
Sources of Political Socialization
Family
Education
Peers and Peer Group
Media 7

8. How Public Opinion Is Formed: Political Socialization
Family
Most psychologists agree the family is the most powerful socializing agent
Learn attitudes
Ex: political parties, other classes of types of people, particular leaders (esp POTUS), society in general
Does the direct influence of parents create the correspondence? Or does living in the same social environment – neighborhood, church, socioeconomic group – influence parents and children? 8

9. How Public Opinion Is Formed: Political Socialization
Education
A purpose of school is preparing students to be citizens and active participants in governing their communities and the nation
Introduced to national heroes, important events, ideals of US society, Pledge of Allegiance, student government 9

10. How Public Opinion Is Formed: Political Socialization
Peers and Peer Group
May reinforce or challenge what has been experienced in families
Differing opinions on the effect of social media
More knowledgeable?
More participation?
More empathy? 10

11. How Public Opinion Is Formed: Political Socialization
Media
Newspapers (school, local, national), Internet, movies, radio, television
Mass media – expose behavior and values of others
Greater influence on attitudes about issues and individual politicians than on underlying values
Selective exposure
Individuals choose to access media with which they agree or avoid media with which they disagree 11

12. How Public Opinion Is Formed: Political Socialization
Significant other influences
Religion
Workplace 12

13. Political View Stability
Adults’ views tend to be stable
Esp. if they remain in the same place, same occupation, and in same income group
Harsh experiences tend to be catalysts that changes attitudes and opinions
War, economic depression, terrorist attack
Study shows that post-2001 increase in civic engagement has continued for 18-25
Attentive public
Citizens who follow politics carefully
25%

14. Political View Stability