A new case for the liberal arts

by David G. Winter

The major purpose of this study was to discern the distinctive effects of a liberal arts education by comparing first year students and seniors at three kinds of colleges: "Ivy College," "State Teacher's College," and "Community College" (pseudonyms). Some of the measures were also administered at seven other colleges across the country. In the fall of 1974, representative samples of both graduating seniors (second-year students at Community College) and first-year students at three colleges (n=396, half female, half male) were administered the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) and several traditional and new aptitude tests designed to assess cognitive skills. These include the Analysis of Argument, the Test of Thematic Analysis, the Uses of Objects, the Meanings of Words, Learning New Material, and Concept Attainment. A questionnaire that elicited demographic information and college expectations and experiences was also administered. In 1978, a follow-up was conducted of the then curre