Political Differences and Perceptions of Silencing in University Classrooms

This study investigates perceptions of silencing behaviors, political party affiliations, and political differences. Survey data of undergraduates enrolled in communication courses (N = 377) was used to assess whether differences between instructors and students in party and ideological affiliation influenced retrospective assessments of instructor political tolerance and opportunities for open discourse in the classroom. Results confirmed that perceptions of political difference significantly predict perceptions of the instructor behavior of silencing.