Comparison of Protesting and Non-Protesting Students

Abstract

127 protesting and non-protesting college students were compared on 23 variables assessing ability and achievement, family-related factors, biographical, college-related factors, and personal adjustment. When compared with controls, the protest sample did not differ significantly in ability but was lower in high school and college academic achievement; came from higher socio-economic level homes; had a higher proportion of out-of-state and Jewish students; had more members in areas of fine arts and government/history and fewer in areas of business, education, engineering and science; had more students with past university disciplinary offenses, and a greater number who had obtained personal counseling. These protestors appeared actually more “alienated” than “activist.”