I think the cynicism, like any tendency, is both learned and dependent on circumstance to continually reinforce. Like what is cynicism if not a deep, fear-based belief that the person ia not capable of enacting meaningful change, and it's better to take actions that will be rewarded and not punished under whatever power structure they currently exist in? That tendency towards compliance-dressed-as-cleverness can be worked with, we're not gonna get them on board immediately but there will be a stage where even the cynical calculus will favor leaving a sinking ship.