A recent study conducted by two college professors found that people who classify themselves as politically conservative are less likely to pursue doctorate degrees. These results leave students wondering how their political views will be challenged in the classroom.
Matthew Woessner, a professor from The Pennsylvania State University, and his wife April Kelly-Woessner, a professor from Elizabethtown College, conducted the study by using data collected from the University of California Los Angeles Higher Education Research Institute in 2005.
In order to retrieve the data, the Woessners had to prove they were legitimate and serious researchers, Matthew said.
"There are high standards to make certain data is taken seriously," Matthew said.
According to the research, there are three likely reasons why more liberals have doctorate degrees.
The first explanation is that people who classify themselves as conservative tend to choose majors in college that allow them to go directly into the workforce. He said examples of these majors are computer science, criminal justice, business and accounting.
A second explanation is conservatives' desires are not in academia. Matthew said conservatives tend to place a higher value on salary and raising a family.
April said the last explanation for the findings is personal choices.
"Liberals and conservatives are just different in what they want in life," April said.
She said research shows most conservatives make their career decisions before college, and it is not the higher-education environment itself that dissuades conservatives from further education.
Matthew said the liberals place a higher value on creativity and freedom.
"Overall, the left dominates academia," he said.
Junior Alyssa Koser, the events coordinator for the College Democrats, said she believes students around campus would agree liberal minds dominate the classrooms.
"This study does not surprise me at all after three years in political classes," Koser said. "The best professors are the ones that don't reveal their political affiliations. It allows more conservative students to listen and contribute."
Senior Ryan Silberstein, former president of the College Republicans, said he does not mind being the minority in the classroom as a conservative.
"I never felt my grade depended on agreeing with a professor," Silberstein said. "Professors have actually told me they prefer having me in class because it makes for better discussion."
April said according to the study there is only a small effect in relationships between liberal professors and students. The only advantage liberal students have when working with liberal professors is more research opportunities.
"The disciplines that tend to stress research are liberal and maybe there are similar interests between liberal professors and students," she said.
Nick Galasso, a political science instructor at the university, said as a teacher he thinks his political opinions might affect students.
"Teachers have an enormous capacity to potentially influence how students think," Galasso said.
He said when students disagree with a professor, they should be vocal about their opinion.
"It is so boring to be in a class where everyone has the same opinion," Galasso said. "Professors are excited to know that students have an opinion even if it is different than their own."
Junior Jeremy Wolff, a business major, said he agreed professors' beliefs can be influential in the classroom.
"I prefer a fair and balanced class because you can definitely get brainwashed by professors," Wolff said.
He said because of the subject of his classes, most of his professors choose not to include their politics in lecture.
Sophomore Cassie Grossmann said she takes liberal arts classes and is more exposed to politics.
"I take communication and philosophy classes, and I am more surrounded by liberal people," Grossman said. "Most of the students in my class are liberal and agree with the professor's liberal position."
April said while it seems like the liberal students may benefit from having professors with similar viewpoints, this might be false.
"Professors say there is a value to hearing new arguments," she said. "Conservative students get exposed to new ideas and can benefit from hearing liberal arguments. Liberal students are less likely to get this benefit."
Matthew said there is a lot left to be explained about the recent findings, and while these results should not surprise college students, they should not affect them, either.
"People go to college to be exposed to new ideas," he said. "It is the job of the student to have an open mind and find what they value in each course no matter the political affiliations of the professor."
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