Chapter 8: Political Culture and Political Socialization

Agents of Socialization

Those who carry out political socialization: parents, schools, media, friendship groups, and so on. The impact of an agent of socialization on one’s political knowledge and viewpoints is a function of ( a ) the agent’s relevance to politics and (b) the agent’s credibility

Confirmation Bias

A psychological theory that says that individuals seek out information that confirms to their previously held thoughts and biases and discounts information that contradicts it.

Generation Politics

A theory that looks at how individuals of roughly the same age are socialized as a generation and view the world politically different from those of a different generation

Political Culture

The attitudes and beliefs held communally by a people, forming the basis for their political behavior

Political Socialization

The process of learning the facts, assumptions, and attitudes we use in responding to politics. Political socialization occurs most rapidly in childhood and youth but continues throughout life

social capital

The interwoven network of associational activities ( clubs, churches, civic associations, neighborhoods, etc.) Through which people are involved in their communities and build a reservoir of trust and positive expectations about collective action.