University Students: Tolerance And Diversity Examined

University students are often perceived as more tolerant than their non-graduate peers. Research suggests that graduates have the most tolerant attitudes towards immigrants and benefit recipients, even when factors such as income and social class are taken into account. This phenomenon is not limited to a specific country or region, as similar trends have been observed in the UK, the US, and Israel.

The university experience is believed to play a significant role in shaping students' attitudes. Exposure to diverse peers, new ideas, and different perspectives can foster open-mindedness and tolerance. However, the impact may depend on the extent of campus life and opportunities for student interaction beyond mere lecture attendance.

While universities are generally associated with promoting tolerance, recent years have seen a rise in cancel culture and concerns about free speech on campuses. The complex nature of tolerance and its limitations, such as in cases involving conflicting rights and freedoms, further add to the challenges faced by higher education institutions.

Despite these complexities, universities remain vital spaces for discourse, disagreement, and the sharing of ideas and identities. They provide an educational environment where the foundations of tolerance can take root and grow, contributing to societal benefits that extend beyond the individual advantages of obtaining a degree.

Are liberal students less tolerant than conservatives?

University students are generally considered to be more tolerant than non-graduates. Research carried out by NatCen Social Research and the Open University for the UK government's Department for Business, Innovation and Skills found that graduates have the most tolerant attitudes towards immigrants and benefit recipients. However, the question of whether liberal students are less tolerant than conservatives is more complex.

Some sources suggest that liberals are less tolerant than conservatives. For example, an article in PJ Media cites a Politico article by Matthew Hutson, which summarises multiple reports indicating that conservatives, liberals, religious fundamentalists, and anti-religious people all have prejudices against those with opposing views. Hutson writes that "each group is about equally prejudiced". A study by Mark Brandt and Daryl Van Tongeren, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, found that highly religious people were cold and dehumanising towards atheists, homosexuals, liberals, and feminists, but that the irreligious were similarly prejudiced against the religious.

On the other hand, some sources argue that liberals are not less tolerant than conservatives. A 2020 article in RealClearEducation questions the methodology of the 2020 College Free Speech Rankings, which found that schools with more conservative-leaning students tended to rank higher than those with more liberal-leaning students. The article argues that the rankings' Tolerance Score—which constituted 40% of a school's overall score—was based on questions that were, on average, much more offensive to liberals than conservatives. For example, liberals are much more likely to support Black Lives Matter, so of course, they would be less tolerant of a speaker who calls the movement a hate group. This does not necessarily mean that liberals are less tolerant overall. Scholars of political tolerance refer to this as the "objection precondition"—the idea that, before comparing two people's tolerance for offensive speech, you must first determine whether they find the speech equally objectionable.

A similar point is made in an article in Higher Education Today, which argues that higher education can lead the way to a more tolerant society. The article acknowledges that tolerance is a complex issue and that division and intolerance exist on college campuses. However, it suggests that higher education provides an educational environment where students are exposed to new ideas, issues, and experiences that may be vastly different from their own, fostering tolerance.

Overall, while there is evidence to suggest that liberals may be less tolerant than conservatives in certain situations, it is important to consider the specific context and the types of views or speech being evaluated when making comparisons between liberal and conservative students.

Do universities create an atmosphere of tolerance and respect?

University students are generally considered to be more tolerant than their non-graduate peers. Research by NatCen Social Research and the Open University for the UK government's Department for Business, Innovation and Skills found that graduates have the "most tolerant attitudes towards immigrants and benefit recipients". This was found to be true even when factors such as income and social class were taken into account.

However, it is important to note that this increased tolerance may be influenced by the university experience itself, including exposure to diverse groups and new ideas, rather than being solely due to the attainment of a higher level of education. The educational environment of a university, where students are exposed to different races, religions, ages, and socioeconomic backgrounds, can foster tolerance and respect.

Furthermore, the concept of tolerance itself is complex and multifaceted. While tolerance is often associated with liberalism and free speech, it can also be understood as a form of non-interference or non-discrimination. In some cases, tolerance may be seen as a form of indifference or disrespect, particularly when it comes to respecting views that are seen as irrational, immoral, or factually incorrect.

Universities have been criticised for their handling of free speech and tolerance, with some arguing that they do not do enough to protect these values. On the other hand, others argue that universities should not be expected to tolerate all views, especially those that are harmful or hateful.

Overall, while universities strive to create an atmosphere of tolerance and respect, the complex nature of these concepts and the varying interpretations of them make this a challenging endeavour. Universities can play a crucial role in promoting tolerance and respect by providing an educational environment that exposes students to diverse ideas and perspectives, fostering open-mindedness and critical thinking.

Do students become more tolerant after graduating?

The question of whether university students are more tolerant than their non-graduate peers has been the subject of much research and debate. While some argue that higher education fosters tolerance and open-mindedness, others claim that it promotes political correctness and left-wing dogma. So, what does the evidence suggest?

Research by NatCen Social Research and the Open University for the UK government's Department for Business, Innovation and Skills found that graduates exhibited greater tolerance towards immigrants and benefit recipients, even when controlling for factors such as income and social class. This suggests that there is something unique about the university experience that shapes graduates' outlook on life and makes them more tolerant.

However, it is important to note that this tolerance may have limits. For example, while graduates may be more welcoming of immigration, a significant proportion still believe that immigrant numbers should be reduced. Additionally, graduates may hold more tolerant views towards certain groups but maintain regressive attitudes towards others, such as the LGBTQ+ community.

The impact of university attendance on students' political tolerance and open-mindedness may also depend on the specific context and culture of the university. A study of Israeli university students found no effect on political tolerance attitudes, possibly due to the perfunctory nature of the university experience, with students often holding down full-time jobs and spending minimal time on campus. In contrast, universities with a well-developed campus life and opportunities for student interaction may foster greater tolerance and open-mindedness.

Furthermore, the influence of university education on tolerance may vary across different societies and historical periods. For example, the presence of youth-fuelled far-right parties in Europe, such as Greece's Golden Dawn, challenges the notion of young people being inherently more tolerant than their elders. However, it is worth noting that mass migration to Greece is a recent phenomenon, and societal attitudes may change as societies adapt to such shifts.

Ultimately, the relationship between university education and tolerance is complex and multifaceted. While university students may become more tolerant in certain respects, they may simultaneously hold intolerant views towards other groups or issues. The unique characteristics of each university, as well as broader societal factors, also play a significant role in shaping students' attitudes.

Are faculty members more tolerant than students?

University faculty members are generally found to be more tolerant than students, but there are some nuances to this statement. While faculty members tend to be more open to controversial speakers on campus and less accepting of disruptive protest tactics, they also self-censor more than students, especially when it comes to expressing conservative views. This self-censorship is often driven by fears of professional repercussions or online harassment.

A national survey of nearly 1,500 faculty members found that, on average, 81% of faculty supported allowing four different hypothetical controversial speakers on campus, compared to 48% of students. Faculty were also less accepting of disruptive protest tactics like shouting down a speaker (55% saying it was never acceptable vs. 38% of students) or blocking entry to a speech (80% vs. 63% of students).

However, the same survey also revealed that a third of faculty members self-censor out of concern over how students, colleagues, or administrators might respond. Over half (52%) worry about losing their jobs or reputations due to something being taken out of context. This self-censorship is particularly prevalent among conservative faculty, who are more likely to feel unable to voice their opinions and hide their political views to keep their jobs.

These findings suggest that while university faculty may be more tolerant than students in some respects, they also face pressures and constraints that lead to self-censorship and a certain level of intolerance toward conservative views.

Does university improve political tolerance and open-mindedness?

The question of whether universities improve students' political tolerance and open-mindedness is a complex one, with varying perspectives and research findings. Some argue that higher education can lead to more tolerant and open-minded individuals, while others suggest that the university experience may not have a significant impact on these aspects.

Research by NatCen Social Research and the Open University for the UK government's Department for Business, Innovation and Skills found that graduates displayed more tolerant attitudes towards immigrants and benefit recipients compared to those with other levels of education. This suggests that there might be something unique about the university experience that shapes individuals' outlook on life. The research also indicated that graduates had the highest levels of political engagement and environmental concern.

Muriel Howard, president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, cites research showing that college graduates are more engaged citizens, more involved in their communities, and more likely to understand current issues and vote. She attributes this to the educational environment of universities, where students are exposed to new ideas, issues, and experiences that may be vastly different from their own.

However, a study by Zehorit Dadon-Golan, Adrian Ziderman, and Iris BenDavid-Hadar published in the Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education examined the impact of university attendance on political tolerance and open-mindedness in Israeli students. They found no effect on political tolerance attitudes, suggesting that the university experience in Israel, where students often have part-time jobs and do not spend much time on campus, does not lead to more open-minded and tolerant political attitudes.

The concept of tolerance is multifaceted and challenging to define precisely. While universities strive to foster an environment that encourages academic freedom and the respectful exchange of ideas, they also grapple with issues such as "cancel culture" and concerns about political correctness. Some argue that universities should promote tolerance while also allowing for respectful disagreement and the existence of diverse views.

In conclusion, while there is evidence to suggest that universities can influence students' political tolerance and open-mindedness, the specific impact may vary depending on the cultural context, the structure of the university system, and the level of student engagement both inside and outside the classroom. Further research and a nuanced understanding of tolerance are necessary to fully comprehend the relationship between higher education and these societal values.

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