The Last Word: Assignment 4 for Wednesday

Consider: Give one

reason why you think

PTSD moved government

from 9th grade to 11th

grade…

Ideological silos The tendency of people to surround themselves with people

who agree with their point of view or political perspective◦ Why might this be harmful?

Forming and Shaping Political Opinions

Unit 2AP Government

and Politics

Political SocializationThe process by which we

“learn” about politics and how to view it (“do” it).◦Influences on your political

opinions change over time in both source and intensity

Induction into political culture, and norms◦How beliefs are shaped

Forming Political Opinions

Where do most Americans learn what it means to be an “American”? What has taken the place of the family in many cases?

Family, Peers, and School Family influence

Children learn political beliefs at early age Peers are influential in middle or high school Political socialization in school

Demographic Characteristics Men vs. Women (the Gender Gap)

Also affected by education, number of children, and marital status

Race – and within races; “the Hispanic question” Age Religion

10.4

FIGURE 10.3: What are the ideological identifications of first-year college students? 10.4

The Last Word: Assignment 4 for Wednesday

Consider: What has been the biggest influence on your political beliefs?

TABLE 10.1: Do men and women think differently about political issues?

10.4