Examines the theory that pre-Hitler Nazism was part of a generational revolt. Research shows that, among new recruits to the National Socialist German Workers Party in that period, there were more than twice as many who were under 30 years old. Socioeconomic and historical factors which made Nazism attractive to German youth are discussed. (AM)

The concept of political culture has provided a promising way of incorporating psychological insights into the study of political systems; progress in the use of the concept calls for effective means of describing total systems and for identifying critical factors in improving the ability to understand and predict'' system performance. (Author/JB)

Differences found among 1,200 school children in California with regard to their attachment to the American political community are not large, but divergences that emerge appear consistently. Mexican American children reveal a cultural pride in Mexico supported by an emotional attachment to America. (JB)

This paper reports two studies designed to examine the hypothesis that political participation reaches optimum levels among those groups where political trust is low and political efficacy is high. (Author/KM)

This paper attempts to develop a perspective for the study of symbolism. Three components of an individual's orientation toward symbols have been identified: (1) the content attributed to the symbol, (2) the individual's affective attachment to the symbol, and (3) the relative systemic importance associated with a symbol. (Author)

Notes that previous research has shown that ordinary citizens are generally incapable of acting on the basis of beliefs about policy. It is suggested that the linkage between beliefs and attitudes can only be understood by looking at the purposes pursued by political activity. If political activity is viewed as serving symbolic ends, it is argued…

The author examines the influence of peer groups on the formation of young people's political orientations and predispositions toward political behavior. Analysis of the findings leads to conclusions about the existence of a "teen culture" in the Soviet Union and the socializing capability of the politically-inspired youth organizations.…

An analysis of survey data to assess the sophistication and antecedents of high school students' attitudes toward compliance with laws. Reveals that a large number of the students have not internalized any values by which they can evaluate decisions concerning compliance, and that the attitudinal antecedents of compliance are quite different for…

Anomie theory holds that the provision of new resources and skills to an inarticulate and non-participatory population can produce two distinct responses: increased conformity or increased and more efficient use of deviant methods. Data on vocational education students suggest that there is such a differential reaction to formal training in the…

The assumptions underlying the mass survey and student-based analyses supporting the widespread generalization that higher levels of education have positive impact on political behaviors and attitudes are challenged. Factors predating college attendance may be important in explaining political differences among populations of college-educated and…

Argues that most adults do not have political attitudes and that once we realize this fact, we will be able to make more sense of attitude formation and change, of leader-follower relationships and of the public policy-making process. (Author/MB)

The theory that militancy was found to vary directly and significantly with the level of Spanish-use, perception of discrimination, and expectancy of success of militant action and to be a more likely response among males than females was not supported. (JB)

Suggests that the time has come to create new indicators of political efficacy (the feeling that an individual political action has an actual or potential impact on the political process). Shortcomings of existing indicators are pointed out and a new problem-solving efficacy scale is described. (DB)

This article examines the effects of a participatory education program in changing attitudes of high school students in six general areas related to political participation. The results were moderately successful, making gains in increasing student efficacy, decreasing cynicism, getting students involved, and generating positive feeling about the…