An Educated Guess: The Effects of Education on Political Comprehension, Understanding, and Political Identity (original) (raw)

Abstract

Previous research has examined the effects of educators on political identity, but there is a lack of research of the effects of the quantity of education. This research examines the relationship between years of formal education (K-12) and political knowledge, understanding, and identity. Data was obtained from the General Social Survey (GSS), using the year 1996 for political comprehension and understanding, 2002-2004 for educational effects on political identity. The sample size for the 1996 data was 1242 and the sample size for the 2002-2004 data was 2636. Results from this research support the hypotheses, showing that more education increases an individual’s confidence in their own political understanding and comprehension. Individuals with the highest level of education were 18.2 percent (p<.000) more likely to agree that they had a good understanding of politics and comprehension than those with the lowest level of education. In addition, those with the highest level of education are the most likely to identity themselves as a Liberal, thus supporting the hypothesis. The 2008 Presidential election draws near, results of this study are important for candidates preparing their campaign, in order to most effectively reach their constituents.

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