Keeping Ideology out of the

Classroom
ADOPTING PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
Outline

 Ideology Defintion and Origins 

 Potential Impact on Education
  Philosophy and Psychology 
 The Benefits of Increased Exposure to Diverse Perspectives and Evidence Based
Teaching 
 LOUIS ALTHUSSER DEFINED IDEOLOGY AS "THE
IMAGINARY RELATIONSHIP OF INDIVIDUALS TO
THEIR REAL CONDITIONS OF EXISTENCE".
IN OTHER WORDS, IDEOLOGY IS A SET OF IDEAS
AND BELIEFS THAT SHAPE HOW INDIVIDUALS
PERCEIVE AND UNDERSTAND THE WORLD
Ideology Definition AROUND THEM, PARTICULARLY IN RELATION TO
POWER AND SOCIAL RELATIONS. THESE IDEAS
AND BELIEFS ARE OFTEN PRESENTED AS
NATURAL, COMMON-SENSE, AND
UNQUESTIONABLE.
Origins: Postmodernism – Derrida and
Foucault

A late 20th-century movement characterized by broad skepticism, subjectivism, or relativism;

a general suspicion of reason; and an acute sensitivity to the role of ideology in asserting and
maintaining political and economic power.
Basic Premise: There is an infinite number of possible interpretations for any finite set of
phenomena. There is no hierarchy of value that determines the value of any interpretation
except “Regimes of Truth”. Examples of movements that have been highly affected by this
premise: post-colonialist literature, race theory, neo-Marxism and socialism, feminist theory,
and post-modern philosophy.
Practical Advice for Teachers: Perspectives –
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn – The Gulag
Archipelago 
Gradually it was disclosed to me that the line separating good and
evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between
political parties either—but right through every human heart—
and through all human hearts. This line shifts. Inside us, it oscillates
with the years. And even within hearts overwhelmed by evil, one
small bridgehead of good is retained. And even in the best of all
hearts, there remains … an unuprooted small corner of evil.
The Hero's Journey – Joseph Campbell 
Potential Impact on Education

 Bias in teaching: Teachers' ideologies can influence their teaching practices, including the
content they choose to cover, the way they present it, and the assessments they use. For
example, a teacher with a conservative ideology might focus on traditional values and
emphasize discipline, while a teacher with a progressive ideology might emphasize social
justice and critical thinking (Friedrich, 2003).

 Limited exposure to diverse perspectives: Ideologically driven curricula can limit

exposure to diverse perspectives and reinforce dominant ideologies. For example, a focus
on Eurocentric history can marginalize the histories and contributions of people from
other cultures and regions (Loewen, 1996).
Potential Impact on Education – Cont.

 Polarization among students: Ideological differences among students can lead to polarization
and conflict in the classroom. For example, political polarization has been shown to negatively
impact students' ability to learn and engage in civil discourse (Haidt & Rose-Stockwell, 2021).

 Inequitable outcomes: Ideologies that perpetuate systemic inequities can result in inequitable
outcomes for students from marginalized groups. For example, the emphasis on standardized
testing and a one-size-fits-all approach to education can disadvantage students who come from
non-dominant cultural and linguistic backgrounds (Ladson-Billings, 2006).
Carl Rogers - Incongruence

Incongruence refers to a state in which a person's actual experiences and feelings are
inconsistent with their self-concept or the way they perceive themselves. In other words,
there is a mismatch between their ideal self and their actual self. This can lead to feelings
of anxiety, confusion, and dissatisfaction with oneself and one's life.
Rogers believed that incongruence arises when a person's experiences and feelings are denied
or distorted in order to fit their self-concept. This can occur when a person experiences
something that challenges their self-concept, such as failure or rejection, and they try to
avoid or deny these experiences in order to maintain a positive self-image.
Jonathan Haidt – Ideological Siloing or
Bubbling Effects of Social Media on Mental
Health
Social media creates an echo chamber: Haidt argues that social media algorithms are designed
to show users content that they are likely to agree with, creating an echo chamber effect. This
can lead to polarized thinking and a lack of exposure to diverse perspectives and ideas. In
addition, Self-harm behavior has increased, particularly amongst teenage girls who profess
progressive views.  
Practical Advice for Teachers: Perspectives

 Enhanced cognitive flexibility: Exposure to diverse perspectives can enhance cognitive

flexibility, or the ability to switch between different concepts and ideas. Studies have
found that exposure to diversity leads to increased cognitive flexibility and creativity
(Hong & Page, 2004; Nemeth & Wachtler, 2014).

 Improved problem-solving skills: Exposure to diverse perspectives can improve problem-

solving skills by promoting critical thinking and complex decision-making. Studies have
found that diverse teams are more effective at solving complex problems than
homogenous teams (Homan et al., 2015; Woolley et al., 2010).
Practical Advice for Teachers: Perspectives

 Increased tolerance and empathy: Exposure to diverse perspectives can increase tolerance
and empathy towards individuals with different backgrounds and beliefs. Research has
shown that exposure to diversity leads to greater acceptance of differences and reduced
prejudice (Crandall et al., 2002; Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006).

 Enhanced cultural competence: Exposure to diverse perspectives can enhance cultural

competence, or the ability to understand and effectively interact with individuals from
different cultures. Studies have found that exposure to diversity leads to greater cultural
sensitivity and competence (Ward et al., 2011; Williams & O'Reilly, 1998).
Practical Advice for Teachers: Perspectives

 Improved academic performance: Exposure to diverse perspectives can improve academic

performance by promoting critical thinking and reducing stereotype threat. Studies have
found that diversity in the classroom leads to improved academic outcomes for all
students (Hurtado & Alvarado, 2015; Page, 2007).
Evidence Based Perspectives 

Evidence-based thinking is a way of thinking that emphasizes the use

of empirical evidence, data, and critical thinking skills to make
informed decisions and draw valid conclusions. It involves using
research evidence and data to guide decision-making and to evaluate
the effectiveness of strategies and interventions.
What to Consider 

 Reliability of sources: They critically evaluate sources of information to determine their

reliability, validity, and relevance.
 Quality of evidence: They look for high-quality evidence that is based on scientific
research, empirical data, or best practices.
 Objectivity: They approach evidence with an open mind and avoid bias in their analysis
and interpretation.
What to Consider Cont. 

 Validity: They evaluate the validity of evidence and determine if it supports

their hypothesis or conclusion.
 Logical reasoning: They use logical reasoning and critical thinking skills to
evaluate evidence, draw conclusions, and make decisions.
 Continuous learning: They seek out new evidence and information to inform
their decisions and are willing to change their beliefs or opinions based on new evidence.
Good Example 

 A Common Good Perspective on Diversity by Sandrine Frémeaux :Audencia Business

School

 https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/common-question/wp-content/uploads/sites/65/2021/01/Fre
meaux-A-Common-Good-Perspective-on-Diversity-2020.pdf
Assessment and Measurment 

 Halpern Critical Thinking Assessment: This test measures a person's critical

thinking abilities across five areas: verbal reasoning, argument analysis,
hypothesis testing, likelihood and uncertainty, and decision-making.

 Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal: This is a popular test that

measures a person's critical thinking abilities across five areas: inference,
recognition of assumptions, deduction, interpretation, and evaluation of
arguments.