A shocking new study from researchers at Northwestern University and the University of Michigan reveals that nearly nine out of ten college students admit to faking progressive beliefs to fit in with liberal academic environments. The study, based on over 1,400 student interviews, highlights a growing culture of ideological conformity and self-censorship on campuses across the country.
The study, conducted from 2023 to 2025, found that 88% of students admitted to pretending to hold progressive views on issues such as gender, politics, and family in order to avoid conflict, gain social acceptance, or secure better grades. Researchers Forest Romm and Kevin Waldman described this behavior as a response to “moral theater,” where students feel pressured to perform ideologically instead of thinking critically.
More than 80% of respondents admitted to submitting coursework that misrepresented their true beliefs, aligning instead with what they believed professors expected.
These findings suggest that traditional academic values like intellectual honesty and viewpoint diversity are being replaced by political conformity.
