The Political Socialization of Commerce and Social Science Students: Epistemic Authority and Attitude Change¹

Abstract

A 3‐year longitudinal study assessed the effects of studying in the social sciences versus commerce on sociopolitical orientation. Results reveal field‐specific changes in attitudes. Commerce students ( n = 34) became, over time, more favorable toward “capitalists,” less favorable toward “unions,” and less likely to attribute poverty and unemployment to systemic factors. In contrast, social science students ( n = 57) maintained liberal attitudes and became less likely to attribute poverty and unemployment to internal dispositions. Beliefs about internal and external causes of poverty and unemployment, while unrelated in 1st year, become negatively related in 3rd year but only among social science students. Measures taken in 3rd year to assess the influence of peers, professors, and courses suggest that peers have a generally conservative effect, even in the social sciences, while professors and courses have a liberal effect only in the social sciences.