Socialization Exercise: how do we think what we think and do what we do?
(Study Exercise II)
Which factors play the greatest role in your personal-political socialization? Randomly pair up with someone on your
team and interview each other. Take turns as “interviewer” and “interviewee.” Decide who will interview first. The first
one to interview will ask these questions and take notes. When all questions are complete, reverse roles. See bottom of
page for instructions after interviews are complete.
Questions about your family Family: Is your family conservative, liberal , libertarian, moderate on social and economic issues. What is the earliest
political event you remember? What can you say about political discussions at home? Does your family vote? Why or
Why not?
Questions about the role of religion in your life Religion: How do your religious beliefs influence your choice of Party? Or the stand you take on issues? What do you
hear about politics at church? If you go to church ask someone there. If you don't go to church, then state why religion
has a big influence on others but not on you.
Questions about how gender experiences may shape your opinions Gender: How does your gender affect for whom you would vote? The stand you take on issues? If gender doesn't
influence your views, then why might that be?
Questions about how formal schooling may have an impact Schooling: Generally, but not always, the more schooling you have the more liberal you are. Does the affect take place
with people you know? How has school affected your political views?
Questions about the media that you are exposed to Media: Do you read news and commentary from: newspapers? Web sites? If so, then how extensively? Which? Do you
listen to news or commentary on the radio? TV? If so, then which programs and how regularly? Do you read books that
provide extended political or social/cultural or historical commentary and/or analysis? If so, what? Which is your
favorite?
Questions about what it might mean to grow up “white,” “black,” or of some other color and/or with a particular racial
identification Race/ethnicity: How do you think race or ethnicity affect your political views? If you are White, why do you think
minority group members tend to take stands on a range of issues that differ from White’s views? If you identify yourself
as a member of a minority group, how does your membership (and experience) affect your views?
Questions about where you are from and how this can influence your outlook Region of the Country : This might not have an affect on you, but generally the southwest is more conservative that the
coasts. Ask your parents "Why would region affect ideology? "What economic factors may come into play in region and
political ideology?
Post-Interview
1. Return to your team and discuss:
a. Note outstanding similarities in socialization within pairs and for your team. Note any
outstanding differences. Assess the importance of similarities and differences and determine: is
there anything that you found that could be considered widely enough shared and seen as
“normal” (i.e., very comfortable with and/or accepted) to constitute “culture”?
b. How might this aspect (or aspects) of culture actually serve people by “solving problems”? How
might these same aspects get in the way of serving people well?
2. Report your findings to the whole class