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Public opinion refers to the ideas and attitudes that a significant number of Americans hold about government and political issues.

Diversity: public opinion is varied... it is unlikely that all people will think the same way about any political issue.

Communication: people’s ideas and attitudes must in some way be expressed and communicated to government.

Significant Numbers: enough people must hold a particular opinion to make government officials listen to them.

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Political efficacy refers to a person’s belief that he or she can have an impact on government and policy.

Some people are socialized to believe that they cannot impact the system.

Others are brought up to believe that their actions can be effective and lead to changes that are important to them.

People may join interest groups—groups of people who share common goals and organize to influence government and policy—because they believe being part of a group will increase their political efficacy.

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Individuals’ personal experiences, the way they interact with the political and economic systems, also influence their political views.

Economic and social statuses affect these experiences.

The Internet, television, radio, newspapers, magazines, movies, and books, the mass media, play an important role in political socialization.

Internet and television provide political information and images that can directly influence political attitudes.

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Children learn many of their early political opinions from their parents.

More than two-thirds of all voters continue to favor the political party their parents supported.

All students learn about their nation, its history, and its political system through school.

An individual’s close friends, religious group, clubs, and work groups, called peer groups often influence and shape opinions.

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Political socialization: a process by which individuals learn their political beliefs and attitudes from family, school, friends, coworkers, and other sources.

Begins early in life, continues throughout adulthood, and has a major influence on opinion formation.