How Classroom Signals Shape Student Views

In a study from 2024, researchers looked at how trigger warnings and safe space messages affect students' views of their teachers and classrooms. They showed videos of instructors giving a lecture on trauma, with different combinations of trigger warnings and safe space notifications. The students then rated the instructors on trustworthiness, care for students, political views, and how safe they felt discussing tough topics. The findings were interesting. Trigger warnings didn't seem to change students' overall perceptions. However, safe space notifications made students feel more psychologically safe and willing to talk about controversial subjects. These notifications also made instructors seem more caring and trustworthy. But there was a catch: students saw these instructors as more liberal and even authoritarian, meaning they might support censorship. This study shows that the words used in classrooms send strong signals. While safe spaces can create a more open environment, they might also shape how students see their instructors' political views. It's a reminder that every word in the classroom matters.