Education and Tolerance: An Analysis of Intervening Factors

Two hypotheses regarding tolerance of the speech behavior of others are extracted from Stouffer's work. By interpreting the conditions of the hypotheses in terms of a contact and an expected rewards effect resulting from educational differences, and a perceived rewards effect resulting from occupational status differences, seven predictions are formulated. The seven predictions are compared to data from a relatively highly-educated, mobile, and predominantly southern female sample. The hypotheses find general support but there are several anomalies. These irregularities are examined in terms of possible implications for the hypotheses and tentative explanations are suggested.