The Effects of Political Ideology and Educational Climates On Student Dissent

tudent dissent has taken on a variety of forms, and thefocus of that dissent has shifted with the urgency of contemporary issues. Yet little is known about the current trends of student unrest in the 1970s. The 1960s heralded a period of unprecedented student activism, disruption, and violence on college campuses and high schools, culminating in Kent State shootings. In response to contemporary social and political problems youth emerged as an active political force in society. There are signs, however, that the 1970s has ushered in a new era of student dissent-a movement from political optimism to skepticism and alienation; the focus now shifting from the total society to the immediate environment (Mac-Gregor, 1971; Psychology Today, 1969). After a decade of sit-ins, strikes, riots, and violence, students describing the new Authors ’ Note: The authors wish to acknowledge the support of the Research and