Ideological Perspectives within the Social Studies Profession: An Empirical Examination of the “Two Cultures” Thesis

Abstract

Differences in perspective between professors of social studies education and teachers of social studies regarding the proper focus of social studies instruction frequently have been noted. In order to better understand one potential source of these differences, data on the political ideology of both groups was collected and examined. The professorate sample was found to be substantially more liberal than the teacher sample. The implications of these findings for the future vitality of the profession are discussed.