ABSTRACT
How do people learn about politics and develop opinions that evolve over their lifetime? This is the topic known as political socialization. The chapter begins with political learning as children, including the roles of family, school, and peers. The discussion then turns to college and the impact of higher leaning on those who attend college. Next, what about people as adults? Contemporary research presents new evidence that personality can shape people’s political views. So too can peoples’ genetic makeup. Both of these ideas remain controversial. In today’s politically polarized climate, politics plays a greater role in the selection of marriage partners. Despite all the influences on a person’s politics over the years, the chapter suggests that peoples’ basic political makeup, particularly their partisanship, tends to be stable over their lifetime.
