Anti-Intellectualism and Political Ideology in a Sample of Undergraduate and Graduate Students

Abstract

To estimate correlations for scores on a student anti-intellectualism scale with scores on a measure of political conservatism, 235 students were given a survey containing a student anti-intellectualism scale, a political conservatism scale, and a demographics questionnaire identifying the participants' sex, college classification, ethnicity, political party affiliation, and self-described political ideology. The political conservatism scale contained two factors, Religiosity and Economic Conservatism, both of which were scored separately in addition to an overall Conservatism score. Students' Anti-intellectualism scores were correlated with Political Conservatism scores (r = .37, p < .01), with Religiosity scores (r = .42, p < .01), and with Economic Conservatism scores (r = .17, p < .05). An analysis of variance indicated a significant difference in students' Anti-intellectualism scores based on college classification (F4,233 = 2.27, p < .04). Specifically, freshman had significantly higher scores than graduate students.

Unpacking the relationship between religiosity and conspiracy beliefs in Australia

“…Even though previous research has proposed that religiosity may be positively associated with conspiracy beliefs and that anti-intellectualism and political trust may account for this association (see, e.g., Laverghetta et al, 2007;Swami et al, 2010Swami et al, , 2011Swami et al, , 2013, this previous work has failed to empirically assess the role of these factors in predicting belief in conspiracy theories simultaneously. In their focus on religiosity, researchers have also overlooked non-religious individuals and the extent to which they may similarly adhere to conspiracy beliefs, albeit for different reasons.…”

“…In relation to factors explaining the association between (non)religious worldview and conspiracy beliefs, anti-intellectualism and political trust are critical. The search for scientific explanations has been found to be predicted by non-religious worldviews and atheism but not by religiosity (see Pigliucci, 2013), and there is initial evidence that religiosity is associated with anti-intellectualism (Laverghetta, Stewart, & Weinstein, 2007). Moreover, several studies showed that individuals who are more likely to adopt a scientifically sceptical attitude are more sceptical of logical fallacies presented in conspiracy theories (Swami, Voracek, Stieger, Tran, & Furnham, 2014).…”

Left–Right Orientation and Electoral Choices: Divergences in the Relationships With Authority and Out-Groups

“…Third, in the future, economic issues, and not just social ones, should be considered. Indeed, some scholars (Feldman & Johnston, 2014;Freire & Belchior, 2013;Laverghetta, Stewart, & Weinstein, 2007) have pointed out that these two domains are at times differently interpreted by voters, and they have different implications for positioning on the left-right scale. Finally, it may be interesting to take into account the moral domain (see Passini, 2011;Passini & Villano, 2013).…”

A philosophical analysis of anti‐intellectualism in nursing: Newman’s view of a university education

“…Psychology researchers have attempted to measure antiintellectualism as an attitudinal construct (Eigenberger & Sealander, 2001;Laverghetta, 2018;Laverghetta & Nash, 2010;Laverghetta et al, 2007;Valeriu Frunzaru et al, 2018). Students prone to antiintellectual attitudes tend to foster lower academic achievement standards, do not view academic cheating as unethical and demonstrate lower self-efficacy and critical thinking skills (Laverghetta, 2018;Valeriu Frunzaru et al, 2018).…”