Predictors of Civic Values: Understanding Student-Level and Institutional-Level Effects

Abstract

This multilevel study extends the work of Pascarella, Ethington, & Smart (1988) and Rhee and Dey (1996) to investigate how student-level characteristics and organizational characteristics affect college students' civic values. Institutional variables found to impact civic values include institutional selectivity, institutional size, and attending a private institution. Student-level variables found to impact civic values include having taken a women's studies class, ethnic studies class, and being a social science major. Using Weidman's (1989) model as a conceptual base, this study has implications for a number of theories and practices that further explain the various socialization processes among students that facilitate civic values development.