Trends in the Association between a College Education and Political Tolerance, 1976–2016. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Campbell, Colin; Johnson, Jerry
• Is Part Of: Socius. Volume 4(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: college -- political tolerance -- attitudes -- education; Sociology -- Research -- Periodicals; 301.07205
• DOI: 10.1177/2378023118805858
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2378-0231

Abstract

In this data visualization, we use data from the General Social Survey to explore long-running trends in the association between a college education and political tolerance toward five groups. For tolerance toward militarists, anti-religionists, communists, and gay men, we show that the tolerance gap between college-educated and non–college educated individuals has narrowed, and this is largely attributable to increased tolerance among the non–college educated. We also find that the tolerance gap toward racists has narrowed; however, this is the result of decreased tolerance among college graduates.