More than 17,000 children were interviewed or tested to investigate their political attitudes. Data relevant to social class and intelligence are as follows: compared to others, children of high intelligence acquired political attitudes earlier, saw the Supreme Court as a more powerful decision maker, perceived laws as less rigid, had more reservations about the competence of the government and had a sense of political efficacy, were more likely to be politically active, and were more willing to accept the possibility of change in the system. The amount of difference perceived between political parties and beliefs about their disagreements, perception of duty to vote, loyalty to the country, and interest in current events did not vary by social class or intelligence. Party choice was not related to social status until after grade 5; children with greater ability to abstract were more likely to perceive the government in institutional rather than personal terms; children from working class homes were more attached to the President than were others; and participation in political discussion and concern with political issues were more frequent in children of high IQ and social status. (RJ)