Offensive speech versus academic freedom : the effect of pre-conceived opinion

Some argue that professors should monitor their speech to avoid offending students and making the university less inclusive. Others believe any censorship threatens academic freedom essential to the educational mission. I examined variables that might bear on this debate. Two-hundred students from two introductory psychology classes were pre-screened using the Attitudes Toward Homosexuality (ATH) Scale. From this screening process, 75 participants, 18 males and 57 females were chosen to participate in the second portion of the study. Participants were classified into positive, neutral and negative attitude groups according to scores on the ATH scale. The three groups then read vignettes in which professors presented a controversial topic. Participants were asked whether they felt the professor's conduct was right or wrong in the situation. They were also asked if the professor should receive a reprimand from the department head for his/her actions. In the scenarios, the presentation was either one-sided or two-sided. Filler scenarios were also used. It was found that students were more accepting of controversial material in the classroom setting when it was presented in a two-sided manner, regardless of their pre-conceived opinion of the topic. It was also found that participants were more likely to recommend disciplinary action against the professor when the topics were presented in a one-sided manner.