After reading this chapter, you should be able to do the following:

• Describe American political culture and explain how it has evolved over time.
• Understand political socialization and the sources through which Americans learn their values.
• Identify the ways in which different groups affect public opinion and politics in general.
• Evaluate the factors that bring about changes in public opinion.
• Explain how ideologies acquire their structure.
• Explore the different methods by which public opinion can be measured.