Unit 2 Learning Objectives
1. How are political beliefs formed? The theory of political socialization, the process in which individuals become aware of politics, supports the/my opinion that family, school and community are most influential in shaping political beliefs.
2. How do political beliefs evolve? The way that political beliefs evolve is very similar to the way they were formed, through: family, school, and community. One factor that may cause political beliefs to evolve more than any other is the media. The media is constantly conveying its opinions and causing many people to either strengthen their prior beliefs or challenge them.
3. Know the process by which political beliefs are transmitted. Political beliefs are transmitted through: family, school, community, peer groups and media.
4. Know why US citizens hold certain beliefs about politics. US Citizens hold certain beliefs because they have been urged all of their life to do so. They have these beliefs so that they are able to form an opinion and participate in trying to change the political system that will benefit them most.
5. How do families, schools, and the media act to perpetuate or change political beliefs? Families tend to influence stances on party identification and how people place themselves on the political spectrum. Schools promote acceptance of social order but also challenge students to question authority (government). Media produces such a jumble of political beliefs that it is hard not to see at least some change in ones political opinion; issue framing is used by politicians to make their stances seem like the better choice.
6. Understand the ways in which political culture affects and informs political participation. Political culture affects and informs political participation through the transmitting of this political culture from individual to individual and that then leads to practice and actions that will enhance political participation.
7. Understand why individuals engage in various forms of political participation and how that participation may affect the political system. Individuals engage in various forms of political participation because they have political efficacy; so that they feel as if they have a better chance of being heard, whether it be through conventional or unconventional actions. This participation could obviously affect the political system as voters cast their votes on things that will benefit them as an individual; otherwise known as the self interest principle.
8. What leads citizens to differ from one another in their political beliefs and behaviors and the political consequences of these differences? (should focus on the demographic features of the American population and the different views that people hold of the political process) There are many factors that lead citizens to differ from one another in their political beliefs. One of the major factors is education as it increases awareness of politics and allows more understanding of the political process. Income also plays a major role in causing differing views; as income increases, the likelihood of a favoring of a limited government in order and equality increases because government is not needed for support. Belonging to a minority group may play a role as well; the people of this certain ethnicity are influenced by past events in which government has either supported or neglected them and are therefore influenced in this way. Religion, mainly influencing social order, will call for differing views between citizens as well. Region and gender also divide political belief, but usually in a more broad array.
9. What are the group differences in political beliefs and behavior? People are placed into groups based on their socioeconomic status: education, income, region, race and ethnicity, religion, and gender. More educated people tend to make see issues in terms of civil rights and liberties and are more for freedom and are less likely to support government-guaranteed jobs. Those with a higher income are more likely to favor a limited government role in ensuring order and equality. Regional differences are more broad but are important; Civil War. Race and ethnicity cause people to have differing political beliefs because in the past minorities have gone through prejudice and have benefited from government support and therefore lean toward government intervention in equality. Women tend to be more liberal where men tend to be more conservative.
10. How do changes in political participation affect the political system? The more political participation there is amongst the population of American citizens the more results there will be towards fulfilling the needs of the people and the more successful and more smoothly the political system will run. With lower political participation, it is more difficult for the government to provide policies that will benefit the public. Political participation structures the government.
11. What role is played by party organizations, PACs, and money generally in campaigns? They are the reason campaigns are successful. PAC's pool campaign contributions and then donate that money to campaign for candidates. Party organizations aid candidates with activities that require expertise advertising, issue development, and raising funds. Money is essential in winning an election,
12. What roles do the groups listed above play in the electoral process? Aren't they the same questions? PAC's pool campaign contributions from members and then donate that money to campaign for candidates. Party organizations aid candidates with activities that require expertise advertising, issue development, and raising funds.
2. How do political beliefs evolve? The way that political beliefs evolve is very similar to the way they were formed, through: family, school, and community. One factor that may cause political beliefs to evolve more than any other is the media. The media is constantly conveying its opinions and causing many people to either strengthen their prior beliefs or challenge them.
3. Know the process by which political beliefs are transmitted. Political beliefs are transmitted through: family, school, community, peer groups and media.
4. Know why US citizens hold certain beliefs about politics. US Citizens hold certain beliefs because they have been urged all of their life to do so. They have these beliefs so that they are able to form an opinion and participate in trying to change the political system that will benefit them most.
5. How do families, schools, and the media act to perpetuate or change political beliefs? Families tend to influence stances on party identification and how people place themselves on the political spectrum. Schools promote acceptance of social order but also challenge students to question authority (government). Media produces such a jumble of political beliefs that it is hard not to see at least some change in ones political opinion; issue framing is used by politicians to make their stances seem like the better choice.
6. Understand the ways in which political culture affects and informs political participation. Political culture affects and informs political participation through the transmitting of this political culture from individual to individual and that then leads to practice and actions that will enhance political participation.
7. Understand why individuals engage in various forms of political participation and how that participation may affect the political system. Individuals engage in various forms of political participation because they have political efficacy; so that they feel as if they have a better chance of being heard, whether it be through conventional or unconventional actions. This participation could obviously affect the political system as voters cast their votes on things that will benefit them as an individual; otherwise known as the self interest principle.
8. What leads citizens to differ from one another in their political beliefs and behaviors and the political consequences of these differences? (should focus on the demographic features of the American population and the different views that people hold of the political process) There are many factors that lead citizens to differ from one another in their political beliefs. One of the major factors is education as it increases awareness of politics and allows more understanding of the political process. Income also plays a major role in causing differing views; as income increases, the likelihood of a favoring of a limited government in order and equality increases because government is not needed for support. Belonging to a minority group may play a role as well; the people of this certain ethnicity are influenced by past events in which government has either supported or neglected them and are therefore influenced in this way. Religion, mainly influencing social order, will call for differing views between citizens as well. Region and gender also divide political belief, but usually in a more broad array.
9. What are the group differences in political beliefs and behavior? People are placed into groups based on their socioeconomic status: education, income, region, race and ethnicity, religion, and gender. More educated people tend to make see issues in terms of civil rights and liberties and are more for freedom and are less likely to support government-guaranteed jobs. Those with a higher income are more likely to favor a limited government role in ensuring order and equality. Regional differences are more broad but are important; Civil War. Race and ethnicity cause people to have differing political beliefs because in the past minorities have gone through prejudice and have benefited from government support and therefore lean toward government intervention in equality. Women tend to be more liberal where men tend to be more conservative.
10. How do changes in political participation affect the political system? The more political participation there is amongst the population of American citizens the more results there will be towards fulfilling the needs of the people and the more successful and more smoothly the political system will run. With lower political participation, it is more difficult for the government to provide policies that will benefit the public. Political participation structures the government.
11. What role is played by party organizations, PACs, and money generally in campaigns? They are the reason campaigns are successful. PAC's pool campaign contributions and then donate that money to campaign for candidates. Party organizations aid candidates with activities that require expertise advertising, issue development, and raising funds. Money is essential in winning an election,
12. What roles do the groups listed above play in the electoral process? Aren't they the same questions? PAC's pool campaign contributions from members and then donate that money to campaign for candidates. Party organizations aid candidates with activities that require expertise advertising, issue development, and raising funds.