Final answer:
Exposure to social diversity is an indirect variable that influences political tolerance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Exposure to social diversity is considered an indirect variable that influences political tolerance. This means that greater education leads to greater exposure to social diversity, which in turn leads to higher political tolerance. However, when greater education does not lead to greater exposure to social diversity, it does not necessarily lead to higher political tolerance. In this situation, exposure to social diversity is a crucial factor in influencing political tolerance.