Self-concept clarity, political ideology, and support for censorship: Evidence from Jewish college students

Debates over free speech on college campuses intensified internationally following the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks in Israel and the ensuing war, particularly as liberal-leaning and highly progressive student bodies signaled solidarity with Palestinians by protesting the existence of the Jewish state. For many Jewish students, this rhetoric threatened core aspects of identity and may have had bearing on attitudes toward censorship and free speech. The present study examined whether self-concept clarity (SCC)—a capacity that can promote resilience in the face of identity-relevant threat—moderated the association between political ideology and support for censorship among this population. Regression analyses using data from 302 Jewish college students revealed that SCC functioned as a buffer, reducing ideological polarization in censorship attitudes. Among those with low SCC, liberalism was associated with less censorship support, and conservatism was associated with greater censorship endorsement; however, these differences disappeared among those with higher SCC. Findings point to SCC as a resource with potential implications for reducing polarization, fostering resilience, and promoting civil dialogue and debate on campus.