The Role of Groups in Political Socialization

Abstract

The Problem In this paper, I intended to collect data about socialization of political interest (an aspect of political socialization) and try to discover a small number of generalized propositions that are valid in several diverse contexts. The Procedure There are some agents of political socialization such as family, school and occupational groups. I assume that socialization mechanisms are not so different in each agent group but they are quite similar. So, I try to discover generalized propositions which are common to all agents groups refering some theories of social psychology. These theories are group dynamics, learning theory, Freudian theory and Neo-Freudian theory. The Results I can't afford to summarize all propositions here. So, I will state about only the fourth proposition exactly. (IV) the generalized proposition IV When human relations in small groups are authoritative, the group members are also authoritative in politics and they are low in sense of political efficacy. (IV) - (1) In family, when parents are authoritative, the children will become submittive and they will be low in sense of political efficacy. (IV) - (2) In school, when teachers are authoritative, the pupils will become authoritative in politics and they will be low in sense of political efficacy. (IV) - (3) In occupational group, when administrations or leaders are authoritative, the followers become authoritative in politics and they will be low in sense of political efficacy.