Final answer:
Brenda's decision to vote based on her sister's preference is an example of social influence. Family is a significant agent in political socialization, and examples like the Asch experiment illustrate conformity and influence dynamics in social settings.
Step-by-step explanation:
Brenda, who had great respect for her older sister, decided to vote for the president her sister thought was best. This scenario is an example of C. social influence. Social influence occurs when one's emotions, opinions, or behaviors are affected by others, intentionally or unintentionally. In this case, Brenda's decision to vote for a particular candidate was influenced by her sister, an agent of socialization. The strongest agents of socialization are family and/or school, as they play a crucial role in the development of political beliefs and behaviors.
Political socialization is the process by which individuals acquire their political attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors, and family is considered the most important influence on this process. Moreover, the Asch experiment demonstrates the power of conformity under social pressure, which can lead to public compliance even if private individuals may disagree. The behavior Brenda exhibits reflects the social dynamics that contribute to the formation of political opinions within the context of close interpersonal relationships, underlining the impact of social influence on individual decisions.