People with extreme views tend to be more expressive about their opinions than those with moderate views, according to a study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology July issue and featured in an Oct. 21 Science Daily article. Stanford University psychology professor Dale Miller and Ohio State University communication professor Kimberly Rios Morrison conducted the study based on Stanford undergraduate attitudes towards campus alcohol policies. ‘The purpose of the studies was to see whether group members whose opinions differ from the majority in one direction are more comfortable expressing their opinions than group members whose opinions differ from the majority in the opposite direction,’ Morrison said in an email. The study found that some extremists are more expressive because they falsely believe there are more people agreeing with their views than there actually are. ‘In our studies, we found that the ‘extremely pro-alcohol’ students were the most likely to falsely believe they are in the majority,’ she said. ‘These students differ from the majority group opinion in the direction of the Stanford student stereotype, which is to be slightly or moderately pro-alcohol.’ Morrison said the research focuses on alcohol-related policies because they are salient in the lives of college students. One of the factors to consider about extremists’ potentially false perceptions is the extent to which they personally identify with the situation in question, she said. For example, Stanford students who considered Stanford important to them are particularly sensitive to perceptions of others’ views in deciding whether to speak up. ‘[T]hese individuals are most motivated to express opinions that make them fit in with their peers,’ she said. ‘This also suggests that perhaps strong Stanford identifiers are motivated to believe their opinions are widely held in the first place.’ This study may have potential implications about people who share their political opinions, Morrison said. For example, people with more extreme liberal views are more likely to display political paraphernalia or attend protests because they think the majority of their community supports them. ‘Expressing opinions to one’s peers, putting a bumper sticker on one’s car, organizing a political rally, and even posting on a blog are all forms of opinion expression that may be most prevalent among those whose extreme opinions are consistent with the group stereotype,’ Morrison said. BU political science professor Timothy Longman said U.S. politics generally tends to favor the middle ground. He compared the U.S. to Europe, where he said a wide range of political parties allow a much wider expression of diverse opinions, and said the minority nature of extremists in the U.S. may make them more vocal. ‘It may be that the lack of productive outlets for their views in the political system drives some people in the U.S. to become more harsh in expressing their opinions,’ he said. BU sociology professor John Stone said there is a barrier of expression between more vocal extremists and less vocal moderates. ‘Perception and reality are often far removed, particularly for small groups holding atypical views,’ he said. ‘Extremists talk to extremists. Moderates talk to moderates.’ Many students said they agree with the study’s suggestions. ‘I’ve come across people with really radical views,’ College of Arts and Sciences sophomore Emma Kuebler said. ‘If you say something slightly different, they get pretty upset.’ She said public opinion on President Barack Obama is a good example. ‘That’s the most extreme case I’ve seen,’ she said. ‘People are either very pro-Obama or against him.’ CAS sophomore Joe Reytan also said he agrees with the study. ‘People who are very into their views generally think their views are right,’ he said.