Final answer:
Option B is the correct answer. People develop their party identification primarily through environmental and social influences, including media, peer groups, and family. Demographic factors such as ethnicity, religion, income, and education also play significant roles in shaping political beliefs and the likelihood of political engagement.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to political scientists, the ways in which people develop their party identification include influence from the media and peer groups, as well as family and demographic factors. While there is some evidence of genetic links to political predispositions, the substantial influences that shape an individual's party identification are environmental and social factors. People often align themselves with a political party whose platform reflects their personal beliefs, and this can serve as a heuristic in decision-making during elections. The most significant influence on political socialization is typically one's family, with other factors such as ethnicity, religion, and the safety and quality of one's environment also playing a role. Additionally, schools, places of worship, and social media can have an impact on shaping political views.
Factors such as age, race or ethnicity, gender, income, and education can also influence a person's political opinions and the likelihood of them engaging in political action. Wealth and education, in particular, tend to correlate with higher engagement in politics and the formation of more intense preferences. Ultimately, one's political identity is often the result of a complex interplay of these environmental and social influences, along with biological and psychological factors.