Definition: The process by which citizens come to think what they think about politics.

The processes: (How we learn about politics)Several psychological theories have been offered as explanations:

1. Social Learning Theory emphasizes the importance of the patterns of subtle rewards and punishments learned from people they interact with (e.g., school grades)
2. Transfer Theory holds that patterns of thinking and behavior developed with respect to one individual can be transferred to another (e.g., anti-smoking ads on TV)
3. Cognitive Development Theory emphasizes the changes over time in the learner's capacity to learn.

 

 The Agents (whom we learn from)

 

1. The Family
2. Media (fastest growing)
3. Peer Groups
4. Religious institutions
5. Events
6. Schools
7. Generations