Says he hopes persons “overcome self-censorship” this Thanksgiving.
A media professor at Indiana University is researching the impact of self-censorship in higher education and culture. Additionally, Professor James Shanahan may examine the part that self-censorship has on social media.
The Willingness to Self-Censor level was first developed by him and his fellow citizens in 2005. Shanahan even wrote a textbook titled” Media Effects: a Narrative Perspective”. Scientists have cited Shanahan’s study 16, 000 days, according to Google Scholar.
Shanahan is already a colleague at Heterodox Academy’s Segal Center for Academic Pluralism.
In an email interview with The Fix, Shanahan ( pictured ) stated that” the scale ] is intended to provide a valid psychometric assessment of how much an individual is likely to express an opinion when we perceive that others will disagree with that opinion.
Shanahan exploits what he believes should be a breeding ground for thoughtful thought-provoking discussion. He explained in an article on his web how higher learning has undoubtedly become a place where students worry they might not get their degrees.
The University is a perfect location for that, he told The Fix, adding that “what’s more concerning is that there are times where we really want people to feel comfortable exploring problems.” It serves as a “place where people who disagree can educate them to confront one another in controversial issues, breaking some of the barriers that exist naturally against that.”
In recent years, numerous studies have suggested that both faculty and students are self-censoring. For instance, according to a statement from Heterodox Academy for the year 2024, college students are reluctant to express their opinions on issues like abortion and Israel, The Fix reported.
According to a study conducted in 2023 on “taboos” in philosophy, professors are reluctant to adopt particular stances on racial and gender issues. Republicans are more likely to self-censor, the investigation found, as previously reported by The Fix.
Further: Johns Hopkins pregnancy activist screams at pro-lifers, pulls display
In addition to studying the impact of social media on one’s willingness to share their thoughts, Shanahan is a member of Bloomington University’s Observatory on Social Media.
” Media cover of]an concern would be a significant way for people to “know” what people think, so that has to play a role as also.” According to Shanahan, social media is then obscuring what we know, making that topic an ongoing research issue as well.
But, Shanahan said he is hopeful that as culture evolves with the use of social media, it will react to these implications.
” Positively, I think people can learn to be a little less afraid of what bad outcomes may come from interpersonal media, as we learn to live with it”, Shanahan said.
With a caveat, Shanahan urges people to take action and never judge themselves when it comes to those all-too-familiar table conversations now that the 2024 national election has passed.
” Post-election, even this Thanksgiving will be an exciting site for people to conquer self-censorship”, he said. ” At their own threat of course”.
Further: Trump presses Linda McMahon for education minister
Photograph: Indiana University
Follow The College Fix on Twitter and Like us on Instagram.
