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The Culture of Academic Disciplines and the Sociopolitical Attitudes of Students: A Test of Selection and Socialization Effects

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  • Mark Elchardus
  • Bram Spruyt

Abstract

Objective. Using cross‐sectional and panel data, this article estimates to what extent the association between students' choice of academic discipline and their sociopolitical attitudes is due to socialization and selection effects. Methods. This is done on the basis of seven incoming cohorts of students and one panel of students. Changes in the panel are controlled for contextual influences by comparing them to a control group. Results. Both selection and socialization effects are observed. The first are, however, much stronger than the second. Conclusions. Although the literature, and particularly the more popular literature, highlights socialization effects, these turn out to be very modest. Future research should address the questions of how and why students select academic disciplines in a way that establishes strong relations between those disciplines and their sociopolitical attitudes.

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  • Mark Elchardus & Bram Spruyt, 2009. "The Culture of Academic Disciplines and the Sociopolitical Attitudes of Students: A Test of Selection and Socialization Effects," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 90(2), pages 446-460, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:90:y:2009:i:2:p:446-460
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6237.2009.00626.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Heine Andersen, 1999. "Political attitudes and cognitive convictions among Danish social science researchers," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 46(1), pages 87-108, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Maité Laméris & Pierre-Guillaume Méon & Anne-Marie Van Prooijen, 2019. "What have we done? The impact of choosing and studying different academic disciplines on beliefs and values," Working Papers CEB 19-007, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    2. Maite D. Laméris & Pierre-Guillaume Méon & Anne-Marie Prooijen, 2023. "What have we done?! The impact of economics on the beliefs and values of business students," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 93(3), pages 433-483, April.
    3. Weisenfeld, Ursula & Ott, Ingrid, 2011. "Academic discipline and risk perception of technologies: An empirical study," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(3), pages 487-499, April.
    4. Liesbet Hooghe & Gary Marks, "undated". "The Social Roots of the Transnational Cleavage: Education, Occupation, and Sex," RSCAS Working Papers 2022/53, European University Institute.
    5. Fischer, Mira & Kauder, Björn & Potrafke, Niklas & Ursprung, Heinrich W., 2017. "Support for free-market policies and reforms: Does the field of study influence students' political attitudes?," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 180-197.
    6. Coelho Junior, Francisco Antonio & Hedler, Helga & Faiad, Cristiane & Marques-Quinteiro, Pedro, 2020. "Determinants of political behavior and the role of technology in the classroom: An empirical investigation in Brazil," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    7. Potrafke, Niklas & Fischer, Mira & Ursprung, Heinrich, 2013. "Does the Field of Study Influence Students' Political Attitudes?," VfS Annual Conference 2013 (Duesseldorf): Competition Policy and Regulation in a Global Economic Order 79934, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.

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