What is learned in political socialization—political attitudes, general attitudes? When does political learning take place? How does learning occur-what are the agencies of impact and how do they operate? What are the consequences of political socialization?
           
These are some of the fundamental questions raised and discussed in this carefully structured, wide-ranging collection of incisive essays for the professional or student interested in how individuals acquire their political orientations. Handbook of Political Socialization offers lucid explanations and probing analyses of major theories, concepts, findings, and implications in the field. In fifteen chapters, a distinguished group of contributors focuses on different aspects of political socialization; they often use illustrations from comparative studies as they provide insight into new approaches, concepts and methodologies.

Part 1: introduces and develops the basic framework upon which further discussion of theory, research, and methodology depends.
Part II: considers the ongoing process of political socialization through the life cycle as this process is influenced and shaped by various agents.
Part III: discusses the outcomes of the political socialization process in relation to such factors as moral development, political values, and political activism.
Part IV: looks at the future in proposing possible directions for further study in political socialization.

A distinctive feature of this volume is the inclusion of chapter on such often neglected topics as methodology, mass communications, adult socialization, and the policy implications of political socialization research. The important concept of political learning through the life cycle receives special attention.