US History Ch. 6 Political Socialization

Political socialization

process by which we develop our political values and opinions

• Children absorb political views from parents

Family, school and media

Strongest: family and school

• Observing actions and listening to views

• Schools socialize children to the concept of democracy by making the idea tangible for them.

Recent: media

• Determine national agenda and educate public on policy issues

Participation in civic life

• Children whose parents are active are likely to become active

• Schools socialize young people to become active

• Being informed causes greater civic engagement

Religious institutions and Peers and Groups

• Those who attend religious services are more likely to share conservative and support republican candidates (white)

• Friends, neighbors, coworkers, and other peers influence (reinforce)

Political and Community Leaders

• Leaders influence public opinion

• We rely on recommendations and priorities of well-respected leaders

Demographic Influence

• Who we are often influences our life experiences, which shape our political socialization

• Racial and ethnic groups to which we belong, our gender, our age, and where we live all play a role

Gender

Gender Gap: measurable difference in the way women and men vote for candidates

• women are more likely to vote blue and are more likely to vote then men (unless they under 25)

Geographic region

Difference between NE and the S

• Date from English times

• Immigration patterns shape them

• Democrats in NE and W coast and Republicans in S, W (except coast), and most of midwest

Age and events

Generational effect: the influence of a significant external event in shaping the views of a generation

• Ex. 9/11 for younger Americans and Great depression and WWII for oldest Americans

Millennial and Gen Z Impact

Millennials: 1/3 of population, strong sense of generational identity, diverse

Gen Z: uses power of social media to bring change, most diverse

Millennial and Gen Z comparison

Both agree on the importance of racial equality and climate change

Millennials: Same sex marriage and LGBTQ rights, gun violence, marijuana

Gen Z: Diversity claims, transgender rights

Public Opinion

The public’s expressed views about an issue at a specific point in time.

• Measured through act of voting

• Public opinion poll: survey of a given populations opinion on an issue at a particular time

How to conduct Public opinion Poll

• Determine population

• Make sure questions actually measure what the client wants to know

Random Sampling and problems

Scientific method of selection in which each member of the population has an equal chance at being included in the sample

• Population identification

• Landline to cellular transition

• Nonresponse rates among cellular users

Quota Sampling and Stratified sampling

A method by which pollsters structure a sample so that it is representative of the characteristics of the target population.

National population is divided into fourths, and certain areas within these regions are selected as representative of the national population.

Sampling Error

statistical calculation of the difference in results between a poll of a randomly drawn sample and a poll of the entire population

• Most are plus or minus 3

Types of Polls

Tracking: measure changes in public opinion over the course of days, weeks, or months by repeatedly asking respondents the same questions and measuring changes in opinion.

Push: attempt to skew public opinion about a candidate and provide information to campaigns

Exit: project the winner of an election before the polls close.

Most Important Problem

• 22% said some form of economic concern (inflation, federal debt, unemployment)

• Dissatisfaction with government/poor leadership

Public Opinion on Government

If people trust their government they are more likely to believe it is responsive to citizens needs

• Generally is up and down

• International problems are higher then domestic

• Trust in the branches: 1st Judicial, 2nd Executive, 3rd Legislative (fails to win approval)