EVOLVING ORIENTATIONS TOWARD POLICY CHOICE IN ADOLESCENCE

In: American journal of political science: AJPS, Band 18, Heft 4, S. 665-680

Abstract

TO INVESTIGATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF FORMAL & SUBSTANTIVE ORIENTATION TOWARDS POLICY DEBATES IN ADOLESCENCE, A SAMPLE OF 60 7TH GRADERS & 58 12TH GRADERS, DIVIDED ABOUT EQUALLY BY SEX, WAS SELECTED FROM STUDENTS AT 2 MADISON, WISC SCHOOLS WHO HAD EXPRESSED INTEREST IN THE STUDY. EACH S WAS INTERVIEWED PRIVATELY TWICE, ONCE ON POVERTY & ONCE ON PRISON REFORM (THE SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES). INTERVIEWS WERE TAPED & CODED DIRECTLY FROM THE TAPES. A 3RD SESSION WITH EACH S TESTED REASONING ABILITY & POLITICAL AWARENESS. 2 FORMAL CRITERIA--MAJORITISM & INTENSITY--WERE SELECTED FOR SPECIAL ATTENTION; 6 HYPOTHESES ABOUT THE EVOLUTION OF THE CRITERIA WERE TESTED. FORMAL ORIENTATIONS APPEAR TO BE A FUNCTION OF AGE, MATURE COGNITIVE CAPACITIES, POLITICAL INTEREST, & SPECIFIC ISSUE AREA. ABSTRACT POLITICAL REASONING IS VIEWED AS PART OF A NORMAL PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESS. THE DISCUSSION DEALS WITH THE RELATION BETWEEN THESE FINDINGS & ISSUES OF DEMOCRATIC THEORY & PRACTICE. 2 TABLES. MODIFIED HA.