This thesis examines the relationship between personal trust and
cynicism and political trust and cynicism. In addition, it relates
trust and cynicism to such variables as socio-economic status,
issue orientation, voting behavior, partisanship, and political
efficacy. The research revealed that political cynicism often exists
independently of personal cynicism. Another important finding was
that political cynicism is a flexible attitude that can vary over
time. In addition, the data revealed that political cynicism is
very significantly related to political variables.