Communication
Affect,^
Learning
tine Classroom
3rd Edition
Jason S. Wrencii / Virginia Peck Richmond / Joan Goriian
Communication, Affect, & Learning in
the Classroom
Jason S. Wrench
Virginia Pecl< Richnnond
Joan Gorhann
Copyright © 2009 by Virginia Pecl< Riclnmond, J ason S. Wrencin, and J oan Gorinam
All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America.
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative
Works 3.0 United States License.
To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.Org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/
or send a letter to Creative Commons, 171 Second Street, Suite 300, San Francisco,
California, 94105, USA.
All research measures utilized within this textbook are copyrighted by the measure's original
creators and used by permission within this text. Please contact the measure's original
creator for licensing information.
1'' Edition printed by Burgess Publishing, Edina, MN, in 1992 (ISBN: 0-80874-699-5)
2"^ Edition printed by Tapestry Press, Acton, MA, in 2001 (ISBN: 1-56888-548-2)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface i
1. Teaching As a Communication Process 001
The Instructional Communication Process
The Teacher
The Content
The Instructional Strategy
The Student
The Feedback/Evaluation
The Learning Environment/Instructional Context
Kibler's Model of Instruction
The ADDI E Model of I nstructional Design
2. Communicating With Instructional Objectives 017
Why Some Teachers Resent Objectives
The Value of Objectives
What Objectives Should Communicate
3. Instructional Communication Strategies 028
The Teacher As a Speaker
The Teacher As a Moderator
The Teacher As a Trainer
The Teacher As a Manager
The Teacher As a Coordinator & I nnovator
4. Communication, Affect, and Student Needs 042
Measuring Student Affect
Basic Academic Needs of Students
Traditional Interpersonal Need Models
Outcomes of Meeting Student Needs
5. Learning Styles 059
What is Learning Style?
Dimensions of Learning Style and Tineir Assessment
jviatcining, Bridging, and Style-Flexing
Classroom Anxieties and Fears 055
Communication Apprehension
Receiver Apprehension
Writing Apprehension
Fear of Teacher
Evaluation Apprehension
Classroom Anxiety
Probable Causes of Classroom Anxiety
Communication Strategies for Reducing Classroom Anxiety
Communication And Student Self-Concept 071
Student Self-Concept: Some Definitions
Characteristics of the Self
Development of Student Self-Concept
Dimensions of Student Self-Concept
Self-Concept and Academic Achievement
Effects of Self-Concept on Achievement
Poker Chip Theory of Learning
Communication Strategies for Nurturing and Building Realistic Student Self-Concept
Instructional Assessment:
Feedback, Grading, and Affect 090
Defining the Assessment Process
Evaluative Feedback
Descriptive Feedback
Assessment and Affect
Competition and Cooperation in Learning Environments
Traditional and Mastery Learning Systems 110
Traditional Education Systems
Mastery Learning
Modified Mastery Learning
10. student Misbehavior and Classroom Management 119
Why Students Misbehave
Categories of Student Behaviors
Students' Effects on Affect in the Classroom
Communication, Affect, and Classroom Management
Communication Techniques for Increasing or Decreasing Student Behavior
11. Teacher Misbehaviors and Communication 142
Why Teachers Misbehave
Common Teacher Misbehaviors
Implications for the Educational Systems
12. Teacher Self-Concept and Communication 152
Dimensions of Teacher Self-Concept
Development of Teacher Self-Concept
Strategies for Increasing Teacher Self-Concept
13. Increasing Classroom Affect Through
Teacher Communication Style 165
Communicator Style Concept
Types of Communicator Styles
Teacher Communication Style
Teacher Communicator Behaviors That Build Affect
14. Teacher Temperament in the Classroom 183
Four Personality Types
Popular Sanguine
Perfect Melancholy
Powerful Choleric
Peaceful Phlegmatic
Personality Blends
15. Teacher Communication: Performance and Burnout 201
Teaching: A Multifaceted Job
Roles of an Instructional Manager
Teacher Burnout
Symptoms of Teacher Burnout
Causes of Teacher Burnout
Methods for Avoiding Burnout
Mentoring to Prevent Burnout
Appendix A To Mrs. Russell:
Without You This Never Would Have Happened 218
Glossary 222
Index 227
Communication, Affect, & Learning
I n the Classroom (3''' Ed.)
Preface
Communication, Affect, & Learning in the Classroom was original publisined by
Virginia Riclnmond and Joan Gorinam in 1992 and tinen updated a decade later by Virginia
Richmond, Jason S. Wrench, and Joan Gorham in 2001. As we enter into the revision of the
3"^^ edition of the text, the basic content has not been drastically altered over the years.
However, the research in Instructional Communication has clearly become more prominent
and stronger. Probably the single most important development in the past two decades was
the publication of the Handboola of Instructional Communication: Rhetorical and Relational
Perspectives edited by Mottet, Richmond, and McCroskey (2006). The purpose of the
handbook was to synthesize the first three decades of research in instructional
communication into a single volume that could help both researchers and instructors
understand the value of communication in the instructional process.
Within the Handbook of Instructional Communication, Mottet, Frymier, and Beebe
(2006) proposed the rhetorical/relational goal theory of instructional communication. There
are two historic traditions examined within human communication: rhetorical and relational.
"These two traditions also reflect two of the primary purposes we have when
communicating: (1) to influence and/or achieve goals and (2) to develop and maintain
relationships" (Mottet et al., 2006, p. 266). Both teachers and students have rhetorical and
relational goals within the classroom setting. Students in the instructional context have both
academic needs (ability to make good grades) and relational needs (feel affirmed as a
person). While not all students are driven by academic and relational needs the same way,
meeting these needs is important for successful instructional outcomes. Teachers, on the
other hand, are basically driven by the two primary communicative goals.
First, teachers have specific rhetorical goals, therefore "teachers focus on influencing
students to learn and understand the content as presented by the teacher" (Mottet et al.,
2006, p. 267). Second, teachers have specific relational goals, or communicative goals
associated with establishing specific types of relationships teachers want to have with their
students (Mottet & Beebe, 2006). Teachers who emphasize relational goals attempt to
create closer relationships with their students; whereas, teachers who deemphasize
relational goals will attempt to create more relational distance between themselves and
their students.
Preface - i
Historically, the two communicative goals described above (rhetorical & relational)
have been described as instructor-centered (focus is on the content) or student-centered
(focus is on the receiver); with instructor-centered and student-centered teaching existing
on a continuum (Chall, 2000). Mottet et al. (2006) argue that the two teaching goals may
not be a dialectic of teaching, but instead are two basic goals that are relatively independent
of each other. In fact, teachers who emphasize both rhetorical and relational goals in the
classrooms are probably the most likely to satisfy students' academic and relational needs
within the classroom, which leads to both an increase in student motivation and positive
academic outcomes. Furthermore, Mottet et al. argue that teachers who emphasize both
relational and rhetorical goals will more "successfully utilize communication behaviors such
as immediacy, relevance, clarity, and compliance-gaining to achieve those goals are most
likely to meet students' relational and academic needs" (p. 269). If, however, a teacher
emphasizes one goal over the other, then he or she is naturally limiting her or his ability to
meet all student relational and academic needs. While rhetorical and relational goals are
important at all education levels, Mottet et al. predict that as "students mature and develop,
their relational needs lessen, however, some students will always desire affirmation from
their teachers and need ego support to maintain motivation for the course" (p. 269). In
essence, as students age, the relational needs are probably not as important as their
academic needs.
When examining rhetorical and relational goals within the classroom, the necessity of
affective learning becomes very obvious. As Mottet and Beebe (2006) noted, "Most students
do not come to the classroom inherently valuing what learning is prescribed. They must be
taught how to value knowledge" (p. 9). In essence, affective learning is the foundation of
any kind of cognitive or psychomotor learning, so it should be the foundation of our
rhetorical and relational goals in the classroom as well. Too often teachers believe that they
are hired to teach a specific subject not get the students to like the subject. Unfortunately,
research has consistently shown us that if students do not like the subject the level of
cognitive and psychomotor learning greatly diminishes. Wrench, McCroskey, and Richmond
(2008) noted, "If an individual does not have positive affect for the content or teacher in a
classroom, it will be very hard for that person to learn [on a cognitive or behavioral level].
For this reason, the authors of this text strongly believe that affective learning is by far the
most important domain of learning because it is the foundation of the other two types of
learning" (p. 346). In essence, when learners do not have positive affect for either the
content or the instructor the learning process is diminished. In fact, without positive affect
the goal of life-long learner that many educators ascribe to is impossible. McCroskey,
Preface - ii
Richmond, and McCroskey (2006) noted, "Almost all of our long-term goals for education
are based on appropriate affective learning. Thus, if we focus all of our attention on short-
term cognitive and psychomotor objectives, is it any wonder that our long-term objectives
are not met? (p. 54).
Who Should Read This Book
Whether you are a K-12 teacher, a university professor, or a workplace learning and
performance professional, this book will contain lots of useful information for your
instructional practice. While there are clear differences in instructional design that are
necessary when differentiating between traditional students (kindergarten through higher
education) and adult learners (learning in the workplace), the basic instructional
communication process has been shown to be very consistent (Beebe, Mottet, & Roach,
2004; McCroskey, Richmond, McCroskey, 2006).
For the purposes of the current book, we will be primarily using the words "teacher"
and "student" within the text. However, these two words could easily be substituted for a
plethora of different terms: teacher (trainer, facilitator, etc.) or student (learner, trainee,
etc.). At the same time, this text does not attempt to be an overview of everything
someone needs to know to be an effective teacher in either educational or workplace
contexts. There are many books out there that are specifically written to be overviews of
the instructional process in different educational contexts. Instead, this book is designed to
demonstrate how teachers can use communication to build an affective learning
environment and thus increase cognitive and psychomotor learning in the classroom.
Changes to the 3'^'' Edition
For the purposes of the 3"^^ Edition to this text, we have updated the research on
instructional communication within the text. Since the publication of the first edition of this
book in 1992, the information related to instructional communication has consistently
gotten stronger. The new research and references will hopefully serve as both a guide for
further reading and as a guide for your own instructional practices. Furthermore, we have
updated content throughout the book to clearly represent the current nature of
communication, affect, and learning in the classroom. The text now represents over 30
years of research in instructional communication.
Next, we created a stronger balance between the traditional educational and
workplace learning implications of the material within this text. According to the
Competency Study conducted by the American Society for Training and Development in
Preface - iii
2004, one of the foundational characteristics of worl<place learning and performance is
effective communication (Bernthal, Colteryahn, Davis, Naughton, Rothwell, & Wellins,
2004). In fact, a great deal of the information contained within this book directly relates to
two of the major areas of expertise for workplace learning and performance professionals:
designing learning and delivering training.
Next, we added clear instructional objectives to the beginning of every chapter to aid
you in your reading. Furthermore, we have also included a glossary at the end of the text to
help remember and learn key terms discussed throughout the textbook.
Lastly, we have opted to make this text freely available to anyone who wishes to
learn more about communication, affect, and learning. In a world where textbooks are
becoming increasingly more expensive, the open access movement has become more
prominent. Open access refers to the free distribution of material via the Internet in such a
way that the material is accessible for all users to read and use. For this reason, we have
opted to utilize a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0
license. You, as the reader, have free access to use this book in any fashion as long as you
cite where the material came from and do not make any money off of the book itself. Feel
free to save this book to your hard drive, print off a copy for your own reading, or e-mail it
to a friend who could also use this information. If you would prefer to purchase a physical
copy of the text, you can purchase a copy at www.cafepress.com/JasonSWrench. Physical
copies are printed by Cafe Press and sent to you at the cost of printing and shipping.
Conclusion
We hope that this book helps you foster a more effective and affective learning
environment for you and your students. Please feel free to e-mail us and let us know how
you have utilized this book or any comments you have for future editions of this book.
References and Recommended Readings
Beebe, S. A., Mottet, T. P., & Roach, K. D. (2004). Training and development: Entiancing
communication and leaderstiip sfc;7/s. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Bernthal, P. R., Colteryahn, K., Davis, P., Naughton, J., Rothwell, W. J., & Wellins, R.
(2004). ASTD competency study: trapping tiie future - New worlaplace learning and
performance competencies. Alexandria, VA: ASTD Press.
Chall, J. S. (2000). The academic achievement challenge: What really works in the
classroom? New York: Guilford.
Preface - iv
McCroskey, J. C, Richmond, V. P., & McCroskey, L. L. (2006). An introduction to
communication in ttie classroom: Ttie role of communication in teaching and training.
Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Mottet, T. P., & Beebe, S. A. (2006). Foundations of instructional communication. In, T. P.
Mottet, V. P. Richmond, & J . C. McCroskey (Eds.), Handbook of instructional
communication: Rhetorical and relational perspectives (pp. 3-32). Boston: Allyn &
Bacon.
Mottet, T. P., Frymier, A., & Beebe, S. A. (2006). Theorizing about instructional
communication. In, T. P. Mottet, V. P. Richmond, & J . C. McCroskey (Eds.),
Handbook of instructional communication: Rhetorical and relational perspectives (pp.
255-282). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Mottet, T. P., Richmond, V. P., & McCroskey, J. C. (Eds.). (2006). Handbook of instructional
communication: Rhetorical and relational perspectives. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Wrench, J. S., McCroskey, J. C, & Peck-Richmond, V. (2008). Human communication in
everyday life: Explanations and applications. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
About the Authors
Jason S. Wrench, Ed. D.
Jason S. Wrench (Ed.D., West Virginia University) is an assistant professor in the
Communication and Media department at the State University of New York at New Paltz.
Dr. Wrench specializes in workplace learning and performance, or the intersection of
instructional communication and organizational communication. His varied research
interests include communibiology, computer-mediated communication, empirical research
methods, humor, risk/crisis communication, and supervisor-subordinate interactions.
Dr. Wrench has published five previous books (Intercultural Communication: Power in
Context, Communication, Affect, and Learning in the Classroom, Principles of Public
Speaking, Human Communication in Everyday Life: Explanations and Applications, and
Quantitative Research Methods for Communication: A Hands-On Approach). Furthermore,
Dr. Wrench has published over 20 research articles that have appeared in various journals:
Communication Quarterly, Communication Research Reports, Education, Human
Communication, Journal of Homosexuality, Journal of Intercultural Communication,
Southern Communication Journal, The Source: A Journal of Education, and The NACADA
Journal (National Association of Campus Advising).
Preface - v
Virginia Pecl< Richmond, Ph.D.
Dr. Richmond is tine cinair of tine Communication Studies department at tine University of
Alambama at Birminginam. Dr. Ricinmond is one of tine most distinguisined researciners and
professors in tine field of inuman communication. Sine \r\as written over fifteen bool<s on
topics including public speaking, nonverbal communication, instructional communication,
and communication apprehension. Dr. Richmond has also authored or co-authored twenty-
five book chapters and published more than twenty-five research articles where she was the
senior author.
Dr. Richmond has also won numerous awards for her outstanding teaching and research,
including an honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University System of West Virginia
Board of Trustees and West Virginia University Institute of Technology. She has received
distinguished service awards from the World Communication Association and the Eastern
Communication Association and is a past recipient of the Donald H. Ecroyd and Caroline
Drummond-Ecroyd Teaching Excellence Award. She was also recognized as one of the top
ten publishing scholars in major communication journals from 1981 to 1985 and was still
ranked in the top 15 most published scholars in major communication journals from 1996-
2001 and has won numerous top paper and book awards.
Joan Gorham, Ed.D.
Dr. Gorham is the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the Eberly College of Arts and
Sciences at West Virginia University. She was the editor of the Annual Editions: l^ass l^edia
for McGraw-Hill's Dushkin Publishing Group for over ten years. Dr. Gorham also wrote the
book Commercial Media and Classroom Teaching. Dr. Gorham has published over 30 peer-
reviewed articles and numerous book chapters. As an instructor. Dr. Gorham has taught a
wide range of courses as a public school teacher, university professor, and professional
consultant. On the graduate level. Dr. Gorham's teaching has primarily centered on
instructional communication, nonverbal communication, and mediated communication.
Dr. Gorham was the assistant editor of Adult Education: A Journal of Research and Theory,
a publication of American Association for Adult and Continuing Education. Dr. Gorham was
editor of The Speech Communication Teacher, a publication of the National Speech
Association. Dr. Gorham has also sat on numerous editorial boards and served an outside
reviewer for many book projects.
Preface - vi
TEACHI NG AS A COMMUNI CATI ON PROCESS
Chapter One Objectives
1. Provide and explain tine definition of inuman communication used in tine textboolc.
2. Provide and explain the definition of learning used in the textbook.
3. Provide and explain the definition of instructional communication used in the
textbook.
4. Identify and define the three domains of learning. Provide an example of a
communication message in each of the domains.
5. Draw the Instructional Communication Model (ICM) and Kibler's General Model for
Instruction. Label and explain each component of both models. How are the models
similar? How are the models different?
6. Be able to explain the ADDIE model of instructional systems design.
Teaching is about establishing effective and affective communication relationships
with your students. Effective teachers are effective communicators. They are those who
understand communication and learning are interdependent and the knowledge and
attitudes students take with them from the classroom are selectively drawn from a complex
assortment of verbal and nonverbal messages about the subject, the teacher, and
themselves. They are those who are more concerned with what the students have learned
than with what they have taught, recognizing those two things are not necessarily
synonymous. They are those who consciously and strategically make decisions about both
what is communicated and how it is communicated.
Instructional communication is defined as the process of the teacher establishing an
effective and affective communication relationship with the learner so that the learner has
the opportunity to achieve the optimum of success in the instructional environment.
Teaching is about relationships with students and about achievements of students. If you
ask most teachers why they chose teaching as a career, or why they continue to work in the
schools, they will tell you it is because of the children. If you ask them what can most
effectively turn a bad day into a good one, they will tell you it is the moment when the "light
bulb" goes on, when everything comes together and a student's face lights up with the
realization that he or she understands. Establishing an effective communication
relationship means focusing on what is communicated, how it is "packaged" so that
Chapter One - 1
students' understanding is maximized, and inow teaciners and students let eacin otiner Icnow
\r\ov\i tiney are doing. Establisining an affective communication relationsinip means focusing on
\r\ov\i teaciners and students feel about each other, about the communication process, and
about what is being taught and learned. The effectiveness of instructional communication is
highly related to the affective implications of the choices teachers make -- and affective
outcomes reflect some of the most important objectives of instruction. Consider the
following examples:
Example One: Grady is learning to play the piano. His teacher is an effective
teacher in that she knows how to break the necessary skills into small units. Grady
has learned how to read music, play chords, and so forth -- technically, he knows
how to play the piano. However, because his teacher keeps running him through the
same dexterity exercises over and over again, telling him he shouldn't waste his time
playing actual songs yet, Grady is bored with the piano. He doesn't practice unless
somebody makes him, and he really hates being yelled at by his teacher for not
practicing. Grady doesn't much like either his teacher or his piano lessons. And he's
not getting very good at playing. He will quit as soon as his parents will let him.
Example Two: Roxanne is also learning to play the piano. She and her teacher have
a great time during lessons, picking out fun tunes and playing neat tapes of piano
music. Roxanne's teacher tells her regularly that she is a very good student, so for a
while she was thinking she might want to be a concert pianist. However, this teacher
doesn't have a very good system for teaching how to play; after three years,
Roxanne still isn't really sure how to play from sheet music. She likes her lessons,
but she's not learning much from them. Last week she did so badly at her recital that
she decided she wanted to quit taking lessons.
Example Three: Meanwhile, down the block. Spike used to take lessons from a
teacher who was boring, mean, and not very good at teaching. His parents got very
mad when they found out he was ditching lessons and spending the tuition money
playing video games at the arcade. Spike's mom was convinced he should learn the
piano. Now he has a new teacher who is a nice guy, very encouraging and
enthusiastic. Spike decided the new teacher was OK, but he still had a bad attitude
toward the piano until he realized that after every lesson he could play a few more
Chapter One - 2
riffs, and putting tinem togetiner made really fine music. His friends find this very
impressive, and Spike can't wait to learn more.
What have these three piano teachers communicated to their students? Grady's
teacher taught him to dislike studying piano, that playing the piano was hard work and no
fun. Grady probably also learned that studying music is a pain and should be avoided in the
future. He may avoid trying out for the band or chorus in school, and he may have already
learned to associate music itself with unpleasantness so that he will not even choose to
listen to much music as he grows older. Since it is very unlikely that these were the
objectives of Grady's teacher, we must question that teacher's ability to utilize the
instructional communication process effectively.
Roxanne's teacher was somewhat more effective. Roxanne learned that music can be
fun and enjoyable, but she also learned that she had very little musical ability. Her
self-esteem as a musician is low. It is unlikely Roxanne will take any more music lessons,
piano or otherwise. She also is unlikely to take the risk of looking bad by joining the band or
the chorus in school later. But she is likely to appreciate listening to music. She may even
be willing to sign up for music appreciation classes. Certainly, she will collect albums in the
future. If Roxanne's teacher's goal was to teach her to play the piano, the teacher wasn't
successful. However, if the goal was to get Roxanne to enjoy music, the goal was achieved.
Future teachers will not have to deal with a student who dislikes music, but they may have
a difficult time getting Roxanne to try performing again.
Spike's second teacher certainly was more successful with the instructional
communication process than his first one. Spike likes playing the piano and wants to learn
more. He is "ready" for that or another teacher to guide him to higher levels of learning.
However, Spike may now associate his ability to play the piano with peer respect, so we
don't know how he will respond if he plays something for them that is "sophisticated" or
"high brow," and they do not like it. Nevertheless, this teacher has demonstrated effective
use of the instructional communication process.
Within these examples, there are several variables at work: the teacher, the content
of the lessons, the instructional strategy, the student, feedback or evaluation, and the
learning environment or context in which instruction occurs. Working together, these
elements define the instructional communication process.
Chapter One - 3
The Instructional Communication Process
Instructional communication is a process in which the teacher selects and arranges
what the students are to learn (the content), decides how best to help them learn (the
instructional strategy), and determines how success in learning will be determined and how
the students' progress will be communicated by and to them (evaluation/feedback).
Teacher/Source -^ Content/Message -^ Instructional Strategy/Channel -^ Student/ Receiver
-p. Evaluation/ Feedback "^
Learning Environment / Context
Figure 1.1 The Instructional Communication Process
There is a dynamic interplay among the various elements of the process -- what works for
one teacher, with one group of students may not be the most effective choice for another
teacher with different students. This process takes place within a given context, or
environment. The teacher must also take into account the influence of external factors in
making process- related choices.
The Teacher
The teacher directs the instructional communication process. Her or his affective
orientation toward the content, the instructional strategies, the students, and simply being a
teacher influences the effectiveness of the process -- and the effectiveness of the process,
in turn, affects the teacher's affective orientation. Teachers will probably not be effective if
they do not have sufficient knowledge of the subject areas in which they teach or of the
appropriate methods for teaching those subjects; however, they also need to like what they
are doing. Their ability to communicate effectively contributes to the frequency with which
they see those light bulbs come on in students' eyes, which, in turn, contributes to job
satisfaction. Teachers -- and the content, strategy, and evaluation/feedback decisions they
make -- are a primary influence on students' affect toward a subject.
Chapter One - 4
The Content
In 1956, Bloom, Engelhart, Furst, Hill, and Krathwohl published their first volume
examining how to assess learning in the college classroom with their book Taxonomy of
Educational Objectives: Tlie Classification of Educational Goals, Handbook I: Cognitive
Domain. In this book. Bloom et al. discussed that there were three domains of learning
important for educational researchers to understand: cognitive, affective, and psychomotor.
In any content area, what the teacher teaches should be selected with attention to both
cognitive and affective learning outcomes. Depending on the subject, there may also be
psychomotor learning goals.
Cognitive Learning. According to Bloom et al. (1956), the cognitive domain "includes
those objectives which deal with the recall or recognition of knowledge and the development
of intellectual abilities and skills" (p. 7). The researchers noted that most of the research in
educational psychology, curriculum development, and workplace learning has centered
around this domain of learning. For this reason, the focus of the first handbook published by
the Bloom research team focused on the cognitive domain completely. Bloom et al. believed
that cognitive learning could be organized into six major categories existing on a continue
from the lowest level of learning (knowledge) to the highest level of learning (evaluation) -
see Figure 1.2.
Highest Level of Learning
1) Evaluation Appraise, assess, or judge the value of information based on
knowledge and not opinion.
2) Synthesis Assembling a new whole from parts of existing knowledge.
3) Analysis Analyzing, comparing, questioning, or disassembling knowledge.
4) Application Using, demonstrating, or applying what has been previously
learned in a new situation.
5) Comprehension Understanding and explaining a sent message using one's own
words.
6) Knowledge Remember/recalling/defining terms, facts, etc...
Lowest Level of Learning
Figure 1.2 Cognitive Learning Levels
These are listed in order from the most basic to the more difficult. Knowledge and
comprehension provide an essential foundation for "knowing" a subject, while the higher
Chapter One - 5
level abilities contribute to owning the subject. In the preceding example, Spike was hooked
on learning the piano because he was taught to apply, analyze, and synthesize what he was
learning each week.
Affective Learning. The second handbook examining the taxonomy of educational
objectives was written by Krathwohl, Bloom, and Basia (1964) to examine the affective
domain of learning. Krathwohl et al. defined the affective domain of learning as one where
"objectives which emphasize a feeling tone, an emotion, or a degree of acceptance or
rejection. Affective objectives vary from simple acceptance to selected phenomena to
complex but inherently consistent qualities of character and conscience" (p. 7). Overall,
affective learning is learning about "interests, attitudes, appreciations, values, emotional
sets or biases" (p. 7). Just like cognitive learning, Krathwohl et al. created a taxonomy of
educational objectives for the affective domain (See Figure 1.3).
Highest Level of Learning
Willing to attend to certain phenomena or stimuli.
Willing to actively seek out and gain satisfaction from a certain
phenomena or stimuli.
1) Receiving
2) Responding
3) Valuing
Belief that a phenomena, stimuli, or behavior has worth.
4) Organization
Placing new values into systems and ranking them in order of
importance.
5) Characterization
The individual acts consistently with the values he or she has
internalized.
Lowest Level of Learning
Figure 1.3 Affective Learning Levels
The affective learning levels vary in terms of degree of internalization; for example, from
the point at which a student is aware that poetry exists, to being willing to read poetry, to
reading poetry and liking it, to making an effort to seek out poetry, and, finally, to adopting
a poetic outlook on life. Spike's piano teacher, knowing of his previous experience with
learning to play, strategically linked Spike's practice exercises to the jazz sound he already
liked; and thus, addressed affective as well as cognitive learning goals, the achievement of
which were interdependent.
Chapter One - 6
Psychomotor Learning. The final domain of learning originally discussed by Bloom et
al. (1956) was psychomotor learning, or the manipulative or motor-skill aspect of learning.
Krathwohl et al. (1964) defined psychomotor learning as learning that emphasizes "some
muscular or motor skill, some manipulation of material objects, or some act which requires
neuromuscular co-ordination" (p. 7). Specifically, psychomotor or behavioral learning
focuses on an individual's ability to enact the physical parts of specific behaviors. While both
Bloom et al. (1956) and Krathwohl et al. (1964) list psychomotor learning as a domain of
learning, they do not focus much attention on psychomotor learning because as Bloom et al.
(1956) explained "we find so little about it in secondary schools or colleges, that we do not
believe the development of a classification of these objectives would be very useful" (p. 7-
8). While Bloom et al. (1956) and Krathwohl et al. (1964) did not find much use in the
psychomotor domain of learning, individuals in workplace learning have spent a great deal
of time investigating the instructional process of skills-based learning. Rothwell and Kazanas
(1994) developed a taxonomy of learning objectives in the psychomotor domain of learning
(Figure 1.4)
Highest Level of Learning
1) Complex Overt Response Performance of a physical task automatically and habitually
with competence.
2) Mechanism
3) Guided Response
Performance of a physical task without the assistance of
another person or a job aid.
Performance of a physical task with some form of assistance
(either a person or a job aid).
4) Set
Preparing for the performance of a specific physical task.
5) Perception
Observing the specific behaviors involved with a physical
task.
Lowest Level of Learning
Figure 1.4 Psychomotor Learning Levels
Because of the repetition and rehearsal necessary in learning psychomotor skills, attention
to affective goals is important. Grady learned the technique of playing the piano, but his
being forced to practice without variation contributed to his dislike of the skill he acquired
and diminished his likelihood of using it any more than absolutely necessary.
Chapter One - 7
Workplace Learning Note. Workplace learning and performance professionals
regularly evaluate and discuss the three domains of learning under different terms. As noted
by Biech (2005) and Biech, Piskurich, and Hodell (2006), the three domains as described by
Bloom et al. (1956) and Krathwohl et al. (1964) are a little technical and academic
sounding. For this reason, workplace learning and performance professionals use the
following alternative names for the three domains: cognitive (knowledge), affect (attitude),
and psychomotor (skill). Ultimately, the word used to describe the domain of learning isn't
important at all. What is important is realizing that the three domains of learning must be
addressed when examining the content within one's classroom.
The Instructional Strategy
Instructional strategies are the ways in which teachers design their communication
to teach the objectives to students. Some teachers, particularly those at the college level,
seem to be totally unaware that there is any instructional strategy other than lecturing, and
some do not do that well. Students learn in different ways (this is discussed in Chapter Six),
and they are likely to have the greatest affect for things that are taught in the way they
learn best. Varying instructional strategies is necessary to accomplish different levels of
learning. Most students enjoy learning more when there are regular changes in class
routine; younger children find it impossible to pay attention without frequent shifts in what
they are doing.
The Student
Students come into learning situations with different affective orientations. Spike's
bad experience with his first piano teacher created a specific set of circumstances with
which his second teacher had to deal. Some students will lack confidence in dealing with any
subject, some in particular subjects, and some not at all. Some students will be better
equipped than others to make sense of course concepts. Some will have more fragile egos
than others. Teachers teach individual students, not classes of students. Thus, the collective
affective atmosphere in a classroom will be determined by each individual student's
response.
The Feedback/ Evaluation
Feedback is the response of teachers and students to messages from each other. It
serves three primary functions: (1) assisting teachers in determining whether the
instructional process choices they have made are appropriate; (2) assisting students in
Chapter One - 8
determining winetiner or not tineir interpretation of winat tiney tlninl< tine teaciner inas
communicated is correct; and (3) increasing tine lil<elilnood of understanding. Feedbacl<
from students to teaciners lets teaciners l<now tiney are accomplisining tineir goals, and lets
them correct problems before affect is diminished. Feedback from teachers to students
accomplishes the same goals. When evaluating students' performance (on some sort of
graduated scale, such as grades) is necessary, teachers will want to be attentive to whether
their students' interpretation of what is meant by an individual grade matches the intended
message. Roxanne's piano teacher told her that she was a very good student, meaning that
she was prompt, pleasant, and enthusiastic. Roxanne interpreted her teacher's praise as an
evaluation of her ability and skill. Thus, she eagerly sought an opportunity to perform in the
citywide recital. Affect will be severely compromised if students are placed in a situation
where they are evaluated on their ability to perform behaviors we have not effectively
taught them, as was the case in Roxanne's recital.
The Learning Environment/ Instructional Context
The instructional context refers to the physical and/or psychological circumstances in
which learning takes place. There have been numerous studies which have demonstrated
the effect of physical surroundings on people's affective responses to what happens within
those surroundings. For example, diners eating the same meal, prepared at an independent
location, will evaluate the food as tastier when it is served in a fine restaurant than when it
is served in a school cafeteria. Similarly, the degree to which students feel comfortable and
in control of their destiny contributes to their affective response to instruction.
Kibler's Model of I nstruction
Teachers with a communication-oriented view of instruction draw on the principles of
learning that have been proposed as a result of studies in behavioral and educational
psychology. Learning is seen as behavioral change; as such, it can be fostered by teacher
communication which reinforces desired behaviors, punishes undesirable behaviors, models
(providing examples for students to emulate), shapes (reinforcing behaviors that
approximate the target behavior so that students gradually come closer to the goal), or
coaches (actively intervening during a student's performance of a behavior to give
suggestions for modification). Communication-oriented instruction is based on teachers'
developing a systematic process for assessing students' entry level cognitive, affective, and
behavioral base lines, structuring activities that build on that assessment, and evaluating
Chapter One - 9
learning outcomes during and after instruction. If learning is not taking place,
communication oriented teachers' look for ways to change the communication process.
Instructional Objectives -^ Preassessment -^ Instructional Procedures -^ Evaluation
- Feedback Loop 4
Figure 1.5 Kibler's Model of Instruction
Robert Kibler, one of the first specialists in instructional communication, and his
associates proposed a communication-oriented model of instruction based on four elements:
Instructional Objectives, Preassessment, Instructional Procedures, and Evaluation. In
following this model, teachers engage in an essentially rhetorical process.
Instructional Objectives
They begin by carefully and clearly specifying their goals as instructional objectives,
a task which is discussed elsewhere in this book. In doing so, they consider what students
are able to do before the unit, what they should be able to do in subsequent units and at
the end of their education, their own capabilities as teachers, and available instructional
resources. They examine these objectives to make sure that they are of the level and type
actually desired -- for example, by classifying the desired cognitive outcomes as relating to
knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, or evaluation -- and think
carefully about the behaviors that will indicate that students have achieved the objective.
Preassessment
Having determined these instructional goals, teachers move on to assessing the
students' existing knowledge and behavioral capabilities and determining appropriate
instructional activities. At this stage in the process, objectives may be modified to omit
instruction in areas in which students are already proficient or to add prerequisite
instruction to develop skills students will need to enable them to fully participate in the
planned instructional activities.
Chapter One - 10
Instructional Procedures
The instructional procedures are tinen implemented through selecting available
materials, developing new materials, and developing a sequential plan that appears to be
the most efficient means of achieving the desired objectives. Feedback is provided to let
students know how they are doing throughout the instruction.
Evaluation
At the end of the unit, the students' success in achieving the stated goals is
evaluated. If all, or almost all, of the students have not been successful in mastering the
objectives possible, reasons are considered: Were the objectives unrealistic? Were
additional skills training necessary prior to beginning the unit? Did the unsuccessful students
need more motivation to master the material? Would different instructional procedures be
more effective? Did the students need more time? Was the measurement of success
appropriate? Based on these considerations, appropriate modifications in the objectives,
preassessment procedures, instruction, or postinstruction evaluation are made.
Feedback Loop
This model of the instructional process views instruction much as a communication
campaign. The goal is set, the audience is analyzed, the strategies are determined, the
strategies are implemented, the results are assessed, if strategies need to be revised they
are revised, the revised strategies are implemented, and so on. Instruction, then, is seen as
applied instance of normal effective communication systems (McCroskey, 1998).
A communication-oriented approach to instruction assumes that teachers are able to
logically and dispassionately analyze their instructional goals and that they are willing to
take considerable responsibility for the outcomes of instruction. At the heart of this model is
the perspective that, when objectives are not accomplished, it is the instruction (the set of
communication strategies), rather than the students or the teacher that failed.
At its extreme, this approach can be criticized for being overly mechanistic because it
requires that all intended learning outcomes must be reduced to observable behaviors, and
for ignoring the personalities at each end of the instructional communication process. It is,
however, oriented toward accountability and challenges teachers to examine their
responsibility in structuring their communication to maximize learning outcomes.
Chapter One - 11
The ADDIE Model
In 1975, a group of researchers at Florida State University developed the ADDIE
(Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, & Evaluation) Model of instructional
design for the US Armed Services (Branson, Rayner, Cox, Furman, King, & Hannum, 1975).
At the time, the term "ADDIE" was not used, but rather "SAT" (Systems Approach to
Training), which ultimately became "ISD" (Instructional Systems Design). Watson (1981),
another Florida State University professor, later updated the ADDIE model to make it more
generalizable across instructional situations. Currently, the ADDIE Model is probably the
most widely utilized and discussed model of instructional design and contains many of the
same components of the Kibler Model. Probably the biggest difference between the two
models is the location and purpose of the preassessment. Where the Kibler Model starts
with the development of instructional objectives, the ADDIE Model starts with an
assessment of learner's needs and current knowledge related to the topic of interest. The
rest of this section is going to break down the five parts of the ADDI E Model.
Analysis
According to Biech, Piskurich, and Hodell (2006), the analysis phase of the ADDIE
Model "is the process of gathering data to identify specific needs - the who, what, where,
when, and why of the design process" (p. 30). The analysis phase helps teachers and
instructional designers determine three basic aspects of learning: knowledge level, learning
needs, and appropriateness of instruction.
First, during the analysis phase, the teacher or instructional designer attempts to
determine the current level of knowledge target learners have about a specific topic. One of
the biggest missteps teachers and instructional designers can make is to under or
overestimate the knowledge target learners possess. All teachers have found themselves in
instructional situations where the learners were either completely not prepared for the
content of the lesson or the lesson was too basic for the learners.
I n addition to determine knowledge level, another fundamental aspect of the analysis
phase is to ascertain what the learning needs actually are. Often people know that there is a
problem, but are not sure where the disconnect is occurring. For this reason, teachers and
instructional designers are often called upon to determine what the learning need actually
is. For example, one of the authors has a grade school teacher friend who recently found
out that a student failed the reading portion of a major standardized test. At first thought,
some suspected that the student may not be able to actually read. After analyzing the
student in various situations, it was determined that the student could read perfectly and
Chapter One - 12
had no problem with word recognition or recall. The disconnect occurred when the student
was asked to analyze what he had read. In essence, the student could read the words but
was then unable to do anything with what he had read. Going back to Bloom's taxonomy of
cognitive learning, the student had knowledge of reading but could not comprehend the
reading. For this reason, spending a lot of energy focusing on the knowledge aspects of
reading with this student would not help the student progress and increase his
comprehension.
The last part of the analysis phase of the ADDIE Model is determining whether or not
instruction is the appropriate response. Whether it's in a traditional classroom or the
corporate learning environment, there are some individuals who will ascribe every problem
to a lack of instruction without seeing if there other systematic causes of problems. For
example, many organizations will mandate diversity training programs after a discrimination
lawsuit is filed against the organization. However, if the organization's culture permits and
encourages workplace discrimination, then a simple training session may not effectively fix
the problem. Often problems arise for many reasons that have nothing to do with actual
instruction. Unfortunately, organizations (both corporate and academic) often like to fix
problems with learning thinking that learning will be a quick fix. However, if the problem is
caused by a non- learning source, instruction may not fix the problem or even exacerbate
the problem further. Solid analysis can often determine if the underlying problem is related
to instructional or other issues.
Design
Once a teacher or instructional designer has determined that instruction is the
appropriate method for handling a problem, the second step in the ADDIE Model is
examined. Whether designing a specific instructional module (a sequence of instruction
centered around one content area) or an entire course (a longer sequence of learning
containing multiple modules), the design step is very important. The Design step of the
ADDIE Model is the part of the instructional process where a teacher or instructional
designer determines the objectives of learning, how learning will eventually be evaluated,
and establish a learning design plan. In the next chapter, we will discuss the creation of
instructional objectives in a lot more detail.
Thinking about evaluation during the design phase is very important because it
establishes an end-point or target for the instructional process. Whether you are focusing on
cognitive, affective, or psychomotor learning, knowing how you will measure specific
learning endpoints is very important. For example, if your instructional objective is to
Chapter One - 13
increase affective learning, evaluating your learners using a multiple-choice test, which
really only measures cognitive recall, is not the most appropriate evaluation method.
Lastly, during the design step of the ADDIE model, teachers and instructional
designers create a design plan. A design plan is a blueprint for developing the content of the
course. A good design plan starts with the basic objectives of the instructional module and
any additional materials that may be needed. Some possible materials that may be listed in
a design plan are "printed materials; scripts and storyboards for computer-based projects;
evaluation materials including tests, quizzes, and other formal evaluations; lesson plans;
staff assignments and responsibilities; and a project management plan that includes
milestones and deadlines" (Biech et al., 2006, p. 33).
Development
Once teachers and/or instructional designers have completed the design plan, the
actual process of building an instructional module begins. Whether the design phase is more
theoretical, the development phase is the theory in practice. It's one thing to know that you
need to address a specific content issue (design), and another thing to develop a game that
helps learners understand the content issue (development). Whether a teacher and/or
instructional designer is designing learning for a physical classroom or an online classroom,
everything that learners will come in contact with are developed and tested during this
phase of the ADDIE Model. Often during this phase of the ADDIE Model, teachers and/or
instructional designers will actually create learning materials and then pilot test the
materials by seeing how they work with actual learners. Pilot testing can provide much
needed feedback for teachers and instructional designers because they can determine
whether or not the instructional materials and strategies are effective before deploying the
materials and strategies to a larger audience.
I mplementation
The fourth phase of the ADDIE Model involves the implementation of the learning
module or course with our actual learners. In an ideal world, we would all be able to pilot
test our instructional strategies before implementing them in a classroom during the
development phase, but quite often piloting materials, modules, and courses gets skipped
because either there is no participant pool for piloting materials or because of time factors.
More often than not actual learners become the first guinea pigs for our newly developed
instructional materials and strategies.
Chapter One - 14
Evaluation
In the ADDIE model, the final phase of instructional development is the evaluation
phase. In the evaluation phase, teachers and instructional designers have two basic goals -
measure the effectiveness of the learning materials and determine participant learning.
While feedback has been a constant along the instructional design process, the evaluation
phase is all about feedback. First, teachers and instructional designers can ascertain
whether or not a specific instructional material or strategy doesn't work. We've all had
instructional materials and strategies that have just bombed in the classroom. Ultimately,
teachers and instructional designers must determine if a specific material or strategy isn't
working because it is faulty or the specific audience had problems. For this reason, we
always recommend trying something twice with two different groups. If you find a specific
instructional material or strategy doesn't work with both groups, chances are you need to
rethink the material or strategy or drop them from the learning module altogether.
In addition to determine if our instructional materials and strategies are working, the
evaluation phase also is when we determine if cognitive, affective, and psychomotor
learning have actually occurred. While the evaluation strategies were determined during the
design phase, the implementation of those evaluation strategies occurs during the
evaluation phase of the ADDIE Model. We'll discuss instructional evaluation in much greater
detail in Chapter 8.
Conclusion
The following chapters will elaborate on specific aspects of the instructional
communication process. Many of the chapters suggest ways in which teachers can establish
and nurture both effective and affective communication relationships that maximize their
students' opportunity to achieve the optimum of success in the instructional environment.
References and Recommended Readings
Biech, E. (2005). Training for dummies: A reference for ttie rest of us! Hoboken, NJ : Wiley.
Biech, E., Piskurich, G., & Hodell, C. (2006). Designing learning: ASTD learning system
module 1. Alexandria, VA: ASTD Press.
Bloom, B. S., Englehart, M. D., Furst, E. J., Hill, W. H. & Krathwohl, D. R. (1956). Taxonomy
of educational objectives- -the classification of educational goals, handbook I:
Cognitive Domain. New York: David McKay.
Branson, R. K., Rayner, G. T., Cox, J . L., Furman, J . P., King, F. J ., & Hannum, W. H. (1975,
August). I nterservice procedures for instructional systems development. (5 vols.)
Chapter One - 15
(TRADOC Pam 350-30 & NAVEDTRA 106A). Ft. Monroe, VA: U.S. to Army Training
and Doctrine Command, (NTIS No. ADA 019 486 tinrougin ADA 019 490).
Hurt, H. T., Scott, M. D., & |vlcCrosl<ey, J. C. (1978). Communication in ttie classroom.
(Cinapters 1, 2 and 3). Reading, JVIA: Addison- Wesley.
Kibler, R.J., Cegala, D.J., Watson, K.W., Barl<er, L.L. & JVliles, D.T. (1981). Objectives for
instruction and evaluation, 2nd edition. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Kratinwoinl, D.R., Bloom, B.S. & Masia, B.B. (1964). Taxonomy of educational
objectives- -the classification of educational goals, handbook IT. Affective domain.
New York: David McKay.
McCroskey, J. C. (1998). An introduction to communication in the classroom (2"^ Ed.).
Acton, MA: Tapestry Press.
Richmond, V. P. (1990). Communication in the classroom: Power and motivation.
Communication Education, 39, 181-195.
Richmond, V. P., & McCroskey, J. C. (1993). Communication: Overview and
framework. In M. J . O'Hair & S. J . O'Dell (Eds.). Diversity and teaching, (pp. 165-
174). New York: Harcourt Brace Javanovich.
Richmond, V. P., & McCroskey, J. C. (1992). Power in the classroom: Communication,
control, and concern. (Eds.). Hillsdale, NJ : Lawrence Eribaum Associates.
Rothwell, W., & Kazanas, H. (1994). Human resource development: A strategic approach
(rev. ed.). Amherst, MA: Human Resource Development Press.
Rothwell, W., & Kazanas, H. C. (2008). Mastering the instructional design process: A
systematic approach (4"^ ed.). San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer.
Watson, R. (1981, October). Instructional System Development. In a paper presented to the
I nternational Congress for Individualized Instruction. EDRS publication ED 209 239.
Chapter One - 16
COMMUNICATING WITH
I NSTRUCTI ONAL OBJ ECTI VES
Chapter Two Objectives
1. Provide a definition of tine message component of tine ICJVl. Give an example of an
affective, beinavioral, and a cognitive message. Also, explain when and how to use
instructional objectives
2. Provide a definition of instructional objectives. Discuss why systems want lOs to be
used by teachers.
3. Identify six classroom outcomes that may result from employing instructional
objectives.
It is vital that teachers be able to communicate their instructional goals to their
students. If you are a member of the American Automobile Association (AAA), you know its
agents can be a great help in planning for a trip. All you have to do is tell them where you
want to go and they can put together a TripTik for you, assembling a stack of those little
strip maps that show various highways and byways across North America. If you are headed
from New York to California, they can plot out a northern route, a southern route, or a
central route that all will have you end up in the same place. But before anyone can begin
to show you a travel route, you have to be able to tell them where it is you want to end up.
And if you don't know where you're going, you won't know when you get there. You won't
even know if you never get there!
Planning an instructional unit, a course, or an overall curriculum is, in many ways,
like planning a trip. There are a lot of different places to go, and a lot of different ways to
get to most of them, but before you can begin to plan how to get where you want to go you
have to decide where you want to end up. Instructional and goal objectives (IGOS) are a
means of clarifying that decision.
Tyler (1949) suggests there are four fundamental questions that must be answered
in developing any curriculum or plan of instruction:
1. What outcomes should the school (course, a unit) seek to attain?
2. What experiences can be provided that are likely to attain these outcomes?
3. How can these experiences be effectively organized?
4. How can we determine whether these outcomes are being attained?
Chapter Two - 17
The first question concerns objectives, tine focus of tine present cinapter; tine next two
questions address communication strategies for acinieving tinose objectives, winicin will be
the concern of Chapters 3, 4 and 5; and the final question concerns determining whether
our communication strategies were effective, the subject of Chapter 6. The first question
must be answered before the others should even be considered.
The idea of writing instructional objectives is certainly not new. Writers in the field of
Communication have stressed the importance of determining one's purpose and objective
before preparing to speak for more than 2,000 years, since the days of Aristotle and Cicero.
For the last 40 years or so, methods of preparing instructional objectives have been taught
to a couple generations of teachers during their preservice training; a practice which was
abandoned as a meaningful planning mechanism by many of them as soon as they got into
their own classrooms. This chapter will discuss why some teachers resent instructional
objectives, why they are of critical value, and what they should communicate.
Why Some Teachers Resent Objectives
Some teachers resent instructional objectives because they are mechanistic. Having
been taught that a proper objective contains specific components, which must be stated in
behavioral terms, they find the task of writing them an exercise in fitting square pegs into
round holes and quickly abandon them. "I know what I'm trying to accomplish," they say,
"but I can't express it in such simplistic terms. Teaching is an art, not a science." Some
teachers resent instructional objectives because they are required in a certain quantity, in a
specified form, by a certain day, to be submitted to some administrator or administrative
agency for no clearly apparent reason. They are perceived as an assignment -- homework --
and are resented as an indication that someone out there doesn't have confidence that
teachers are doing their jobs well without them.
Some teachers dislike instructional objectives because they are used to playing
things by ear and the thought of doing long-range planning makes them nervous. Some
teachers dislike instructional objectives because they are afraid (sometimes with just cause)
they will be held accountable for their students' achievement of those goals and punished
for their lack of achievement. Teachers who operate from this perspective are likely to
reduce their objectives to the lowest common denominator of their expectations for their
students.
One of the authors has a friend who used to work for a company that required its
management level employees to write a set of performance objectives for themselves each
year. On the occasion of their annual salary review, they turned in their objectives for the
Chapter Two - 18
next year. The supervisor then pulled out last year's list and proceeded to award points for
each objective that had been accomplished. Since the points translated directly into
determining the amount of their raise in salary, the managers quickly learned to develop
lists of "objectives" they were already working on or that someone on their staff had already
accomplished, and to plan several showy but relatively meaningless "accomplishments"
each year so that their list was not confined to the one or two complex, long-term projects
that were their real goals. Some of the managers were able to play this game while still
maintaining a focus on their long-term goals; others began to adapt their jobs to performing
for the sake of generating objectives. Unfortunately, the supervisor was so caught up in his
performance appraisal system that he didn't realize what was happening.
Most of the reasons teachers resent objectives are related to their focusing on the
product rather than the process of formulating objectives. Rather than beginning by thinking
"What is it I am trying to accomplish? What do I want my students to know or be able to do
as a result of their time with me? What kinds of values or attitudes, likes and dislikes would
I like to reinforce?" Teachers often begin by thinking "How do I write these darn
statements?" We are not dismissing the value of the "darn statements" that express
objectives in behavioral terms, but we would encourage teachers to start with expressing
their goals in a less specified sense. The process of developing instructional objectives can
and should include some articulation of broad goals, such as "developing a positive
self-esteem" or "teaching skills and knowledge that will be necessary for students to
function in a technological society" or "increasing students' appreciation for poetry." Such
broad goals provide a framework for developing specific objectives. They are the beginning
of a process of clarification.
The Value of Objectives
Objectives have informative and communicative value for teachers, students,
administrators, parents, and the community at large. They provide an answer to the
question "Why am I (or are you) doing this?" They help students understand the direction a
unit or course of study is taking so they can direct their attention to important concepts and
skills instead of trying to guess what the teacher wants of them. They help students assess
how they are doing throughout the unit rather than being surprised by their final grades.
Objectives help the teacher to choose content, activities, and instructional materials with a
coherent sense of purpose. They make evaluation easier, directing the kinds of questions
that should be on a test, the criteria against which an essay or project assignment should
be assessed, and so forth. They provide direct feedback to the teacher regarding how well
Chapter Two - 19
he or she is doing; rather than the feeling of being an entertainer or a warden (depending
on the particular class and the teacher's point of view!). Teachers are able to clearly see the
results of their instructional efforts.
Objectives are an important step in being able to communicate clearly and
convincingly to those outside the school who demand accountability for what is happening
inside the classroom walls. Not only are they a means of communicating goals, they are
likely to enhance the achievement of those goals. They can provide a helpful framework for
articulating the efforts of various teachers who teach the same subject or grade level, or for
teachers who teach sequential courses in a subject area. Therefore, third grade teachers
can have a very clear idea of what the second grade teachers taught in language arts, and
what the fourth grade teachers expect of students when they are promoted. While some
teachers initially see efforts to articulate objectives with other teachers as constraining,
doing so is actually a very liberating activity. If the three teachers who handle eighth grade
science agree on a common set of objectives, they do not have to agree to approach those
objectives in the same way. Each teacher can incorporate specific strategies and activities
with which he or she is the most comfortable without raising a concern that students are
learning fundamentally different things in the various sections of the course. They allow
teachers the freedom to take their own route to an agreed upon destination.
J ust as writing a list of "things to do" often helps to buffer a feeling of being
overwhelmed with necessary tasks, and writing a letter to a friend helps the writer tame
free-floating anxieties by anchoring them to words, the process of writing out objectives can
psychologically anchor the various guilt-provoking "I should be" or "I should have"
self-evaluation statements teachers often use on themselves. There is a limit to what any
one individual, or institution, can accomplish in molding children's knowledge, attitudes, and
behaviors. Having expressed one's priorities in a tangible form, teachers are better able to
convince themselves that they are indeed accomplishing what they "should" be
accomplishing.
What Objectives Should Communicate
Instructional objectives should, in their most complete form, communicate clearly
and concisely what is to be learned and how it will be demonstrated. Although the format of
individual objectives may vary, they should address five points:
Chapter Two - 20
1. Who is to perform the desired act?
The phrase "the student will be able to" emphasizes the fact that effectiveness of
instruction will be assessed in terms of what the student can do as a result of the instruction
rather than what the teacher does during the course of instruction.
2. What behavior will serve as evidence that the instructional goal has been
achieved?
This part of the objective is an action verb. Verbs that are open to a variety of
interpretations (such as "to know," "to appreciate," or "to understand") are not as helpful
as those that specify an observable action (such as "to solve," "to write," "to identify," "to
list," "to compare," or "to construct").
3. What is the object of the action verb?
In other words, what exactly will the students be asked to do to demonstrate that
the objective has been mastered? For example, "The student will be able to identify the
counties in Indiana" or "The student will be able to write five paragraphs analyzing the
effectiveness of a problem-solving task by using the steps of the problem-solving
sequence." Figure 2.1 lists some possible action verbs that could be utilized for each of the
three domains of learning
Learning Domain
Related Action Verbs
Cognitive
analyze
enumerate
propose
apply
estimate
question
appraise
evaluate
quote
argue
examine
recall
arrange
experiment
recite
assess
explain
recognize
attack
identify
relate
calculate
illustrate
repeat
cite
indicate
report
classify
interpret
reproduce
compare
inventory
restate
compose
label
select
contrast
list
set up
criticize
locate
solve
define
manage
sort
describe
match
support
detect
memorize
synthesize
diagram
name
tell
differentiate
order
translate
Chapter Two - 21
Affective
Psychomotor
discriminate
organize
test
distinguisin
plan
use
discuss
practice
write
duplicate
prepare
adjust
decide
perceive
analyze
discern
pick
answer
display
practice
applaud
evaluate
prefer
approve
exhibit
reply
assess
express
require
assume
follow along
resolve
attain
identify with
revise
avoid
internalize
select
be alert to
judge
share
believe
listen to
show tolerance of
carry out
manage
support
choose
notice
systematize
continue
obey
theorize
criticize
organize
debate
participate
assemble
integrate
restart
balance
make
show
bend
manipulate
solve
compute
measure
speak
construct
move
start
copy
operate
stop
coordinate
play
transcribe
count
prepare
turn
demonstrate
process
type
design
prove
use
develop
reach
write
draw
record
imitate
repair
Figure 2.1 Action Verbs for the Learning Domains
4. Under what conditions -- witti wtiat limitations and constraints -- will the
behaviors be performed?
This part of the objective statement provides the teacher and the student with a
description of how the evaluation of whether or not the objective has been mastered will be
conducted. Examples might be: "Given an outline map with the counties marked but not
named, the student will be able to identify the counties in Indiana" or "Following group
participation in the 'Who Should Survive?' problem-solving exercise, and subsequent
instruction in the steps of the problem-solving sequence, the student will be able to write
Chapter Two - 22
five paragraphs analyzing tine effectiveness of tine group in terms of inow tine steps of tine
problem-solving process were or were not applied."
5. What standards will be applied to evaluate whether or not the student's
performance is an acceptable indication of mastery?
Completing the examples with which we have been working, the final objectives
might be as follows: "Given an outline map with the counties marked but not named, the
student will be able to identify the counties in Indiana with at least 80% accuracy" and
"Following group participation in the 'Who Should Survive?' problem-solving exercise, and
subsequent instruction in the steps of the problem-solving sequence, the student will be
able to write five paragraphs analyzing the effectiveness of the group in terms of how the
steps of the problem-solving process were or were not applied. Satisfactory papers will
address each of the five problem-solving steps explained in the textbook and relate each of
the steps to explaining the effectiveness of actual groups' process."
Instructional objectives can -- and should -- include desired cognitive, affective, and
psychomotor learning outcomes. Psychomotor and lower level cognitive learning objectives
(those requiring knowledge or comprehension) are usually the easiest to write because the
behaviors and standards for evaluation are the most easily translated to the kinds of
assignments, test questions, and skill demonstrations that are typically included in a unit or
course to determine students' grades. Teachers often use classroom activities to foster
higher level cognitive learning (application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation), but they
may be less accustomed to defining means of evaluating the attainment of those objectives.
Tests and assignments that can be evaluated on a percent correct basis are frequently not
the most appropriate means of assessing whether these objectives have been accomplished
and, because they are not, teachers assume that having such objectives is incompatible
with the recommendation that instructional objectives should communicate conditions and
standards of evaluation as well as behaviors.
The central question in clarifying such objectives should be, "How will I tell if this
activity has been successful in fostering/demonstrating what was intended?" Thus,
following a unit on the parts of a story, after students have demonstrated that they can
define the terms protagonist, antagonist, climax, irony, and moral, and that they can
identify these elements in stories they read, they might be assigned a synthesis task for
which the objective is "Working in groups of five or six for one hour, students will be able to
create and perform a skit in which the protagonist, antagonist, climax, irony and moral are
recognizable to the teacher and to their peers." The evaluation standards specified here
Chapter Two - 23
may or may not be part of assigning students a grade; tine important aspect of tine
evaluation component of tine objective is its clarifying what will provide evidence of
students' attaining the objective of synthesis.
Clarifying the behavioral demonstration and assessment aspects of affective
objectives can be similarly challenging; however, doing so is a worthwhile process in that it
reinforces the salience of such objectives as legitimate instructional goals. Some examples
of means of observing and evaluating evidence of affective outcomes might be:
Having been given the opportunity to submit essays to the local newspaper's annual
contest, 70% of students will voluntarily choose to do so.
In examining records of the reading material students select for their weekly free
reading period, there will be evidence that students more frequently choose works by
authors whose stories were read in class after being introduced to the author than before
that time.
Given the opportunity to list ways that knowledge of mathematics can be used in
everyday life, the student will list more practical applications at the end of the course than
they did at the beginning.
Given precourse and postcourse administrations of self- perceived communication
competence scales, 85% of students will score higher on the second administration than
they did on the first.
A teacher's statements of affective objectives might not be shared with the students
and will probably not suggest measures that figure into a grading scheme. Indeed, telling
students explicitly that they should be reading books by the authors to whom they have
been introduced in class and awarding points for doing so will probably compromise this
observation's intent as a measure of an affective outcome, since students may then be
selecting books for points rather than because they have been moved to want to read those
books. Clarifying such objectives, however, takes the teacher through a process of
determining ways in which the attainment of such reasonable and valid goals as increasing
student confidence in a skill or enhancing appreciation of an area of study can be assessed.
The ability to do so provides valuable information to the teacher as he or she considers
variations in instructional communication process, and also allows these accomplishments to
be communicated to parents and administrators in concrete terms.
Cognitive and psychomotor learning objectives may, likewise, not always be
communicated in their complete form to students. When the teacher has decided that the
attainment of certain objectives will be measured via the students' ability to correctly
answer a set of test questions, the list of "objectives" provided to students might include
Chapter Two - 24
only the information witin v\i\r\\c\r\ tiney sinould be familiar and an indication of what they will
be expected to do to demonstrate their knowledge on the test. Thus, objectives provided to
the students might read:
Following participation in class and completion of the assigned readings, the student
will be able to:
1. Identify the three domains of learning.
2. Write an instructional objective that contains all five of the recommended
components.
3. Discuss the value of instructional objectives.
In this case, the teacher has already communicated to the students that mastery of these
particular objectives will be evaluated via a test or quiz and has separately discussed with
them the conditions under which the quiz will be administered and the standards for
evaluation. These are not all of the teacher's objectives for the unit and they are not written
with all of their components. Rather, they are a simplified version of the particular
objectives that will be assessed by the students' completion of a single task, and they help
the students direct their review and rehearsal time toward working with central concepts.
Sometimes teachers are criticized by their colleagues for providing students with
specific objectives, arguing that students then study only what they know they will be held
accountable for. This criticism may be more valid when students are given simplified study
objectives at the start of a unit of instruction, since some of them then might selectively
attend only to information they know will be on the test. If, however, objectives are
distributed after a unit has been completed, but prior to the administration of a test,
research evidence suggests that students are likely to attend to and retain a great deal of
incidental information during the course of instruction. It is their final review that will be
concentrated on the most relevant information, and more of them will be successful in
moving that information into memory. Because the objectives reflect the teacher's careful
thought and prior definition of what students who have mastered an area of study should
know, feel, or be able to do, it makes perfect sense to focus their attention on achieving
those goals as they review for a test.
To return to the travel analogy with which we began this chapter, there are almost
always many ways to plan a trip to a given destination. Some people prefer a direct and
efficient route. Some prefer a longer scenic route; some people need to stop frequently to
rest while others have greater endurance. Someone who knows a territory can direct
newcomers to the most interesting, meaningful sights and experiences, help them get
Chapter Two - 25
tickets to events they might otherwise miss, and l<eep them from getting lost. Before any of
this planning can begin, we have to decide on a goal -- where we are going, where we want
to finish.
It is vital that teachers be able to communicate their instructional goals -- to
themselves and to others, including their students. Clearly stated, instructional objectives
allow us to do so. They provide a method for answering accountability questions. They
clarify what is to be taught and what we will look for to determine whether learning has
occurred. They help us pinpoint where changes in the instructional communication process
are needed. While some teachers perceive objectives as confining, they are actually quite
liberating, allowing us to experiment more freely with communication strategies without
losing sight of agreed-upon end points. They are an invaluable planning tool.
References And Recommended Readings
Beane, J. A., Toepfer, Jr., C. F., & Alessi, Jr., S. J. (1986). Curriculum planning and
development. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Biech, E., Piskurich, G., & Hodell, C. (2006). Designing learning: ASTD learning system
module 1. Alexandria, VA: ASTD Press.
Bloom, B.S., Englehart, M.D., Furst, E.J., Hill, W.H. & Krathwohl, D.R. (1965). Taxonomy of
educational objectives--the classification of educational goals, handbook I: Cognitive
domain. New York: David McKay.
Borg, W. R., Gall, J. P., & Gall, M. D. (1993). Applying educational research: A practical
guide. (3rd. Ed.). New York: Longman.
Ferrarra, F. (1987, April). Let's talk common sense about objectives. Instructor, 16-17.
Gorham, J. (1990). Individual differences in classroom dynamics. In J .A. Daly, G.W.
Fried rich & A.L. Vangelisti (Eds.), Teaching communication: Theory, research, and
methods, (pp. 207-221). Hillsdale, NJ : Lawrence Eribaum.
Kibler, R.L., Barker, L.L. & Cegala, D.J. (1970). A rationale for using behavioral objectives
in speech communication instruction. Speech Teacher, 19, 245-256.
Kibler, R.J., Cegala, D.J., Watson, K.W., Barker, L.L. & Miles, D.T. (1981). Objectives for
instruction and evaluation. (2nd. Ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Krathwohl, D.R., Bloom, B.S. & Masia, B.B. (1964). Taxonomy of educational
objectives- -the classification of educational goals, handbook II: Affective domain.
New York: David McKay.
Chapter Two - 26
Lawson, K. (2008). Instructional design and development. In E. Biech (Ed.), ASTD
handbook for workplace learning professionals (pp. 233-250). Alexandria, VA: ASTD
Press.
McCroskey, J . C. (1998). An introduction to communication in the classroom (2"^ Ed.).
Acton, MA: Tapestry Press.
Mager, R.F. (1962). Planning instructional objectives. Palo Alto, CA: Fearon.
Mager, R.F. (1972). Goal analysis. Belmont, CA: Fearon.
Rothwell, W., & Kazanas, H. C. (2008). Mastering the instructional design process: A
systematic approach (4"^ ed.). San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer.
Tyler, R.W. (1949). Basic principles of curriculum and instruction. Chicago: University of
Chicago Press.
Chapter Two - 27
I NSTRUCTI ONAL COMMUNI CATI ON STRATEGI ES
Chapter Three Objectives
9. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of tine lecture as an instructional tool.
10. Distinguish between open and closed questions. Review each type of questioning.
11. Review at least six other instructional strategies.
12. List six guidelines that should be used in choosing instructional strategies for a
particular unit of instruction.
Employing a variety of instructional strategies appeals to various learning styles and
tends to keep teachers and students from becoming mediocre. If we watch children play
school, we are likely to see them model -- often with amazing and embarrassing accuracy --
a traditional, subject- centered model of instruction. The "teacher" talks, writes on the
board, hands out things, disciplines her or his "students" for talking, and talks some more.
If, however, we watch a child teach another child how to do something outside of the
playing school context we are quite likely to see a very different set of dynamics at work.
The "teacher" demonstrates, asks and answers numerous questions, and enters into a
highly interactive relationship with the learner. If we watch a child try to learn how
something works or how to do something on her or his own, we are much more likely to see
a hands-on, investigative approach than one in which the child goes first to the directions to
find out exactly how he or she is "supposed to" proceed. We also see children totally caught
up in the stories of an expressive storyteller, and mesmerized by television's auditory and
visual stimulation. Left to their own devices, children seem intuitively aware that there are
lots of ways to learn, most of which they willingly and regularly seek out.
Most teachers are quite aware there are numerous strategies available for
consideration when deciding how to design a unit of instruction. Most teachers are also
aware of the advantages of various strategies; if, in practice, they show a heavy preference
for one particular approach, that preference might be the result of a belief in its superiority
or of their lack of experience in using other approaches. For example, subject- centered
teachers often tend to lean toward lectures because they believe that they are the most
efficient means of moving through information in quantity, and because that is how they
were taught. Learner-centered teachers tend to favor group discussion, while
process-centered teachers believe in using a blend of strategies that package information in
Chapter Three - 28
redundant modules. Sometimes teachers avoid a particular strategy because they
personally do not learn well with that approach.
This chapter will address ways to maximize the advantages (and minimize the
disadvantages) of five instructional strategies: The lecture, class discussion, skill lessons,
small group activities, and resource- based instruction. Each of these strategies involves a
different context for communication, hence is likely to be more effective for some kinds of
objectives than others. We will approach these strategies in terms of defining the teacher's
role in each situation and examining its appropriateness in achieving a given lesson's
objectives, including those related to affective responses.
The Teacher as a Speaker
When we think of lecturing as a method of instruction, we often think first of our
college classes in which we may have experienced lectures as "a device for getting notes
from the notebook of the professor to the notebook of the student without going through
the head of either" (Walker and Scott, 1962, p. 113). Teachers at the secondary and
elementary levels seldom use extended discourse as exclusively as do some college
teachers, but any time a teacher assumes the role of information-giver, speaking with a
structured agenda, he or she becomes a lecturer. In this situation, the speaker holds the
floor. It is her or his responsibility to also hold the attention of the listeners.
Lectures are a very efficient use of instructional time. They can communicate a large
amount of information to a maximum number of students without requiring much (if any)
equipment. They allow teachers to present material not available in textbooks or other
easily accessible resources and, presented well, can motivate and excite students. Research
has indicated that students taught by lecture do as well as or better than those taught by
discussion methods on tests of factual recall. Some students, such as those with a high level
of communication apprehension, prefer the relative anonymity of a lecture format, in which
the fear of being called upon to speak does not interfere with their ability to concentrate on
the material being presented (McCroskey, 1998).
On the downside, lectures are not as effective as other methods in fostering higher
levels of learning (application, analysis, synthesis, evaluation), or in developing
psychomotor skills. Students tend to be passive and, according to various studies, their
attention frequently wanes in 15 to 25 minutes and their retention within about eight
weeks. Lectures are a "whole-group" method of instruction, a form of mass communication,
and must be structured with an assumption that all the students are at about the same level
Chapter Three - 29
of initial understanding and inave approximately the same ability to learn. Feedback is very
limited. Students who do not learn well by listening are at a disadvantage.
Lectures demand that teachers practice the skills of effective public speaking.
Students expect:
(l)that the instructor will be knowledgeable enough to explain the topic in
understandable terms;
(2) that the lecture will be organized;
(3) that the instructor will capture and hold attention;
(4) that the lecture material will be selected with attention to its interest value;
(5) that the teacher will be competent and enthusiastic; and
(6) that the lecturer will demonstrate a sense of humor (Weaver, 1982).
Violating these expectations will diminish affect, for the speaker, the course, and the subject
area.
One of the ways to maximize a lecture's effectiveness is to abide by the general rule
(one supported by research) that a speaker should plan to "cover" material for only half of
the allotted time, and use the rest of the time to buttress and repeat information with
pointed examples and illustrations that relate the concepts to the students' own
experiences. Take the time to introduce humor, either as a clarifying device or simply to
break up the serious presentation and reawaken attentiveness -- students like teachers who
have a sense of humor, and that liking rubs off on the material. Where possible, develop
visual aids for multi-sensory appeal.
Students learn better if they know what they are about to learn; thus, an effective
lecturer will provide advance organizers throughout the presentation to help students chunk
the information into meaningful units. Collingwood and Hughes report the results of an
experiment which indicated that students performed better on tests when given some form
of notes to refer to during the lecture. When the teacher provides a detailed set of notes so
that little note taking is required, or provides an outline of key points with diagrams, tables,
and a place for students to record explanatory notes during the lecture, students will learn
more than when they are left to their own devices in taking notes. This technique also has
affective payoffs in that it gives the students a sense of not only where the teacher is going
but how far he or she has to go before reaching closure. Anyone who has ever been caught
in a traffic jam and experienced the anxiety associated with not knowing how long they will
be stuck will understand the benefits of being able to predict likely progress.
Chapter Three - 30
An alternative strategy for helping students organize their notes has been supported
by Kelly and Holmes (1979), and others who have implemented the "guided lecture
procedure." Students are encouraged to simply listen and refrain from taking notes during
the teacher's lecture, which is planned for approximately the first half of the period. They
are then asked to write down what they recall from the lecture. The instructor takes five
minutes or so to review main points and answer questions, after which the students move
into small groups to cooperatively prepare a set of notes that are shared among group
members. This procedure has the benefit of students' getting the "big picture" before trying
to decide which of its components need to be recorded for future reference, and it is a
means of personalizing the class atmosphere by encouraging supportive interaction within
the small groups. The downside is that only half as much material may be covered in a
lecture.
Finally, effective lecturers must be careful not to allow the potentially impersonal
strategy of lecturing to interfere with their attempts to establish an immediate
teacher-student relationship. Using student names, incorporating personal anecdotes and
other means of self-disclosure, asking questions and encouraging students to talk, referring
to class as "our" class and what "we" are doing, and using humor contribute to immediacy,
as do maintaining eye contact with the students, smiling, having a relaxed body position
and animated gestures, moving about the classroom during the lecture, and -- this one is
very important to remember -- using a dynamic, vocally expressive style of delivery. These
strategies have been shown to have both cognitive and affective learning payoffs. They help
to personalize the instruction, to highlight important points, and to maintain interest by
presenting continually shifting visual as well as oral cues (immediacy will be discussed
further in chapter fourteen).
For the most part, elementary and secondary level teachers will find it advantageous
to spread lecture material out over several class periods so that it can be interspersed with
other instructional strategies. However, no matter how long (or short) individual lecture
interludes might be, their preparation should include attention to both content and
presentation. "Winging it" is not acceptable! The lecture can be a very effective
communication system. It is not likely to be so without careful preparation.
The Teacher as a Moderator
Several studies of instructional strategies and classroom interaction have concluded
that students develop a greater affect for subjects taught via class discussion than by those
taught strictly by lecture. Discussion allows students to formulate principles and applications
Chapter Three - 31
in their own words, giving a sense of ownersinip to course concepts. Discussion also provides
teaciners witin prompt feedbacl< on \r\ov\i students are processing information. A Stanford
University study of tecinnical sl<ills necessary for effective teacining identified nine primary
instructional skills, seven of which were related to classroom interaction: fluency in asking
questions, reinforcing student participation, using probing questions, using questions that
address higher level cognitive objectives, facility with divergent questions, appropriates use
of a teacher nonverbal communication cues to reduce reliance on teacher talk, and using
interaction techniques to reduce boredom and inattention.
As common as claims of desiring and encouraging class discussion are, many
teachers find that getting students to talk is a difficult and frustrating task. Dreams of
entering a classroom of bright and inquisitive students who bring with them thoughtful,
probing questions related to assigned readings or previous class lectures are often dashed
early in a semester -- or a career. "I'm always asking my students if they have any
questions or comments," said one teacher, "but they just look at me. Nobody ever wants to
talk." Why does this happen?
One of the problems teachers have in generating class discussion is their assuming
that the students should be the initiators. Most students, however, do not come to class
with questions or observations, at least those they wish to share. One of the keys to
successful whole-class discussion is the teacher's ability to ask questions, not just to ask for
them. Furthermore, the kind of question the teacher asks is central to her or his success in
the role of moderator.
Closed questions, which have only one or a limited number of correct responses, are
a good way of keeping students on their toes but rarely foster discussion. "What year did
the Civil War begin?", "Can anyone explain how a rainbow is made?", or "How would
knowledge of immediacy cues be useful in a sales position?" address knowledge,
comprehension, and application learning objectives and invite students to become active
participants in class but are looking for specific, correct answers.
Teachers need to be careful not to make answering such questions a threatening
experience. Children with a high level of communication apprehension will often answer "I
don't know" just to avoid being called on again, and any student will suffer some degree of
embarrassment if put on the spot with a question he or she can't answer. For that reason,
teachers should avoid calling on individual students who do not signal their willingness to
participate. While calling only on those students who volunteer may limit interaction to the
more extroverted students, the teacher should question her or his motives for insisting
students answer questions when they do not what to. Is this important to the instructional
Chapter Three - 32
objectives for that unit, or is just anotiner instance of tine "Gotcina" game played by so many
teaciners?
Systems of questioning around a circle or down the rows are viewed with increasing
terror by many students as their time "to look bad" approaches. All such systems are
certain to accomplish is to reduce the cognitive learning of some students while, at the
same time, generating negative affective learning. In any case, the teacher's response to
wrong answers and her or his sensitive use of appropriate, helpful prompts (rather than just
"I'm waiting" or "Go on") will go a long way toward establishing a nonthreatening
environment in using closed questions.
With closed questions, the teacher remains the primary focus of the teacher-student
interaction. It is the use of open questions that is most effective at shifting that focus to a
genuine discussion atmosphere where the teacher steps back into a moderator's role. Open
questions are particularly appropriate for getting at analysis, synthesis, and application
objectives. They do not have right answers; although students may be challenged to defend
their positions, they can never be wrong. At their best, they motivate discussions among
students in which the teacher steps in only to draw closure or redirect the discussion's
focus. Consider your response to the following questions:
Suppose you discover that your wonderful one-year-old child, because of a
mix-up at the hospital, is not yours. Would you want to exchange the child to
correct the mistake?
Would you rather be extremely successful professionally and have a tolerable
but boring private life, or have an extremely exciting private life and only a
tolerable and uninspiring professional life?
Would you accept twenty years of extraordinary happiness and fulfillment if it
meant you would die at the end of the period?
For $100,000 would you go for three months without washing, brushing your
teeth, or using deodorant? Assume you could not explain your reasons to
anyone. (Stock, 1987)
While these might not be questions you would pose in your classroom, they illustrate the
power of open questions in stimulating thought. A classroom adaptation might be: "What if
Chapter Three - 33
Romeo and Juliet had not been successful in killing themselves; they attempted suicide, but
pulled through. What do you think would have happened to them?" Posing this question to
a class of high school freshmen not only asks them to draw on what they know about
Romeo and J uliet, their families, and other insights from the play they have read; it also
invites them to draw on their own experiences with and attitudes about parent-child
relationships, love, early marriage, suicide, and so forth.
Participation in classroom discussion can often be maximized by the use of "buzz
groups," small groups of students who put their heads together to briefly discuss a question
among themselves and then report their response to the class as a whole. With open
questions, this technique allows an opportunity for more students to express their ideas in a
finite amount of time. With closed questions, it takes the spotlight off individual students
and encourages peer teaching. Most students are less apprehensive about communicating in
a buzz group than they are in front of the class as a whole, and most groups are more
confident about voicing a response that has been "test-driven" for peer response.
A final recommendation regarding the teacher's role as a moderator concerns wait
time. It is extremely common to observe teachers answering their own questions, usually
because a student response is not immediately forthcoming. Students quickly learn this
pattern and absolve themselves of any responsibility for participation. Questions are not
perceived as "real questions." How many of us have not at one time or other heard a
teacher monologue that goes something like this:
"OK, who read the chapter? Anyone? What was it about? The Civil War!
Anyway what was that war about? It was about slavery, wasn't it? What do
you think about slavery? Was it worth fighting a war over? I think it was.
Does anyone disagree with me? Nobody does? Well then, what was the first
battle in the Civil War? . . . ."
Many times students enter our classes having had a great deal of experience with
nonparticipatory classroom norms, and with teachers whose questions are primarily
rhetorical. We have to spend some time changing their expectancies, and we have to give
them time to think. It is estimated that as many as 70 % of students at the college level
never participate in class discussion. Is it because they were taught not to by teachers who
did not wait long enough for responses . . . ?
Chapter Three - 34
The Teacher as a Trainer
Teaching psychomotor skills requires that students have an opportunity to practice
skills until they master them. Sometimes, as in learning to drive a car, students are highly
motivated to repeat the same task over and over until they learn how to do it. Sometimes
students are not as highly motivated to continue practicing and become bored with
repetition. When faced with such a situation, the effectiveness of skill lessons is enhanced
by the teacher's offering ways to vary the performance of the skill. For example, children
who are learning to write their alphabet letters may lose interest in writing letters over and
over on lined paper, but remain excited about painting an alphabet mural, drawing letters in
pudding with their fingers, creating alphabet people, being given the opportunity to write on
the chalkboard, and so forth.
For teachers to effectively coach students through to mastery of a skill, it is essential
that they be able to break the performance of the skill into separate components so they
can offer corrective instruction. One of the authors clearly remembers years of elementary
school physical education classes in which the teacher rewarded students for being able to
do things, and punished them for not being able to do them, but never offered coaching.
Having moved on to high school, she was amazed that one didn't have to be a good
volleyball player but could become a better one by following some corrective instruction in
how to serve the ball. Some students got better and better at volleyball just by getting
more playing experience, but some (the author included) simply repeated ineffective moves
until being pulled out of the game and concentrating only on one aspect of play.
Teacher/trainers of highly skilled students are characteristically masters of isolating
and working on specific components of performance in their training programs: the
competitive golfer's trainer will work with eliminating a small twist of the wrist that
compromises control; the violin prodigy's teacher will note that additional finger dexterity
might enable the young musician to reach new heights and assign dexterity exercises.
Teachers who can help students figure out why they are not mastering a skill have
themselves mastered a primary coaching skill.
The Teacher as a Manager
Small group projects typically involve two to six students working together on a
common task. They provide an opportunity to maximize students' active involvement in
class, to develop their interpersonal communication and cooperation skills, and to reinforce
their knowledge through peer teaching. Research provides evidence that students retain
information longer when they have an opportunity to verbalize it, especially to their peers.
Chapter Three - 35
Working in small groups tends to increase students' motivation, partly because they enjoy
the opportunity to interact with their peers and partly because they care about being
regarded positively by their peers and don't want to let their classmates down by failing to
do their part.
Some teachers are uncomfortable with small group activities because they cannot
monitor what is going on with all students at all times and feel out of control of what is
going on in the classroom. Some have observed that students spend too much of the time
off-task, that one or two group members tend to "carry" the others, and that grading
individual contributions to group projects is difficult. Some teachers are not exactly sure
what they are supposed to do while students are working in groups and feel like they are
abdicating their responsibility to be teaching. The concern of these teachers is well-founded,
for if the teacher is not a good manager, group activities may be worse than useless.
The teacher's role in small group instruction is that of a manager -- of resources and
of personnel. As a manager, the teacher should clearly define the task at hand, and provide
guidance as to time-lines and the organization of various steps needed to complete the
assignment. Some group tasks are designed to be completed within a single class period
while others may continue for all or a portion of several weeks or even months. In the latter
case, it is particularly helpful to guide the groups in determining short-term goals within the
longer-term objectives. Giving students a list of resources and telling them "Do a report on
Guatemala, see you in six weeks" is an ineffective management practice! Two of the
primary reasons that groups flounder and spend time off-task are that they (1) don't know
what they are supposed to be doing, or (2) don't know how to go about doing it.
As personnel managers, teachers will consider the composition of task groups and
make strategic decisions on how they will be formed. There are valid reasons to form "work
groups" that remain together throughout various projects (students get to know one
another and their individual strengths and limitations; they tend to work more efficiently as
time goes on, becoming a sort of interdependent minicorporation) and equally valid reasons
to create a new mix each time groups are assigned (students develop broader sociological
ties; cliques are less likely to develop). There are valid reasons to mix motivated with less
motivated students (someone takes direction) and equally valid reasons to let the motivated
students work together and let the unmotivated ones work things out on their own (at best,
new leaders are discovered; at worst, at least the usual leaders don't feel put-upon).
Deciding on a grouping strategy will often relate to the teacher's affective objectives for a
particular class. Once the groups are formed, the teacher-as-manager should monitor
working relationships and intervene if conflict is undermining the group's ability to function.
Chapter Three - 36
As resource managers, teachers should be able to provide groups access to the
information and materials they require to accomplish their tasks. They will monitor the
groups' progress and suggest means of following up on ideas, checking information, and
presenting their product. In more extensive group projects (those that take more than a
single class period), it is often wise not to over-manage up front. If students are given all
the resources they are to use and a very specific model of what they are to come up with,
much of the incidental learning from the group's process will be lost. The group is then the
teacher's staff, working on the teacher's project rather than their own.
The Teacher as a Coordinator and I nnovator
The use of resources to supplement instruction can serve many purposes.
Computer-aided instruction and other programmed instruction packages can be created or
purchased to be used as either a primary instructional strategy or a supplemental tool.
Films, videotapes, audiotapes, instructional television, books, magazines, newspapers,
demonstrations, guest speakers, simulations and so forth can be used to complement other
instructional strategies or as the cornerstone of instruction. The Arizona teacher who has
created a space lab simulation in his science classroom, and who guides students through
an elaborate scheme of science projects within the parameters of the simulation -- in which
student crews ultimately spend several real-time days and nights "on board" -- uses the
simulation as the cornerstone of his instructional strategy, incorporating lectures,
discussions, group tasks, audiovisual aids, and other strategies as enhancements. Teachers
who are a part of the Time Educational Services program use the magazine as the
cornerstone of their instructional strategy, while others organize a class around a series of
guest speakers.
Most of the time, resource-based instruction is supplementary. Resources are used
within a traditional teacher-directed classroom to stimulate various senses, present
information in alternative formats, and enhance text and lecture material. Sometimes they
are used as a break for the teacher or as a reward for the students. Usually students like
them.
Many teachers are unaware of the range of available instructional resources.
Consequently, they either do not use them, or draw from a limited selection of often
outdated films or filmstrips that are available through the school or community library.
Searching out resources -- getting on mailing lists, talking to instructional media specialists,
becoming familiar with resource indexes, searching out available guest speakers, learning
how to use or even writing computer programs, designing simulations -- is time consuming.
Chapter Three - 37
It is not necessary that every teacher choose to do so; however, all teachers should
remember that it is better to use no resources than to use bad (dated, poorly produced,
age-level inappropriate) resources.
The key to using resource- based instruction effectively is to know exactly how the
resource will be used to enhance instructional objectives. Whatever the type of resource,
the teacher should experience it in its entirety before using it in the classroom, and
coordinate the logistics for its effective use -- for example: making sure the room can be
darkened enough for quality film projection; figuring out the best seating arrangement for
viewing a videotape on a standard-size television monitor; thinking about who will get to
use the three computers when, and what the other students will be doing at that time;
deciding how to schedule a guest speaker so that several classes can benefit; scheduling
carefully and compulsively checking that the rented film or the speaker will be there as
scheduled, that the VCR is not out for service, and that the handouts will be ready as
promised. Failing to take these steps almost assures a diminished affective payoff from
incorporating the resource.
Few instructional resources are so powerful that they work alone without some sort
of set up and/or follow-up activities. Resource- based instruction is the most effective when
teachers use resources rather than defer to them. Maximizing their effectiveness requires
considerable logistical coordination on the teacher's part. It is usually worth the effort.
Employing a variety of instructional strategies appeals to various learning styles and
tends to keep both teachers and students from getting into a rut. The teacher's preferences
and individual strengths will influence strategic decisions, although the instructional
objectives at hand should always be central to selecting the most appropriate teacher's role
at a given point in a course of study. We would encourage teachers to experiment, working
with one lesson or unit at a time, to increase their own repertoire of skills and
classroom-tested alternatives. In this chapter, we have suggested that a teacher might
wear many hats: speaker, moderator, trainer, manager, and coordinator. Most teachers
look good in all of them, and most students get tired of looking at the same one every day.
References and Recommended Readings
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G.W. Friedrich & A.L. Vangelisti (Eds.), Teaching communication: Tiieory, researcti,
and mettiods. (pp. 301-316). Hillsdale, NJ : Lawrence Eribaum.
Biech, E., Barbazette, J., & Piskurich, G. (2006). Delivering Training: ASTD learning system
module 2. Alexandria, VA: ASTD Press.
Chapter Three - 38
Bloom, B.S. (1984). The search for methods of group instruction as effective as one-to-one
tutoring. Educational Leadership, 41, 4-17.
Blount, N.S. & Klausmeier, H.J. (1968). Teactiing in tlie secondary sctiool. New York: Harper
and Row.
Book, C.L. (1990). Extended discourse. In J. A. Daly, G.W. Friedrich & A.L. Vangelisti (Eds.),
Teactiing communication: Tlieory, researcti, and mettiods. (pp. 279-291). Hillsdale,
NJ : Lawrence Eribaum.
Carnevale, A. P., Gainer, L. J., & Meltzer, A. S. (1990). Worlaplace basics: Tlie essentials
skills employers want. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Check, J.F. (1985). Fielding and asking questions in class. Clearing House, 58, 270.
Collingwood, V. & Hughes, D.C. (1978). Effects of three types of university lecture notes on
student achievement. 7 ourna/ of Educational Psychology, 70, 175-179.
Davis, R.J. (1965). Secrets of master lectures. Improving college and university teaching,
13, 150-151.
Fairbairn, D.M. (1987). The art of questioning your students. Clearing House, 60, 19.
Gorham, J. (1988). The relationship between verbal teacher immediacy behaviors and
student learning. Communication Education, 37, 40-53.
Gorham, J. & Christophel, D.M. (1990). The relationship of teachers' use of humor in the
classroom to immediacy and student learning. Communication Education, 39, 46-62.
Kelley, D.H. & Gorham, J. (1988). Effects of immediacy on recall of information.
Communication Education, 37, 198-207.
Kelly, B.W. & Holmes, J. (1979). The guided lecture procedure. Journal of Reading, 22,
602-604.
Knox, A. B. (1986). Helping adults learn. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
McCroskey, J . C. (1998). An introduction to communication in the classroom (2"^ Ed.).
Acton, MA: Tapestry Press.
McCroskey, J. C, & Richmond, V. P. (1992) Increasing teacher influence through
immediacy, I n V. P. Richmond and J. C. McCroskey (Eds.), Power in the classroom:
Communication, control, and concern, (pp. 101-120). Hillsdale, NJ : Lawrence
Eribaum.
McCroskey, J. C, Wrench, J. S., & Richmond, V. P., (2003). Principles of public speaking.
Indianapolis, IN: The College Network.
McFarlane, E., & Saywell, J. (1996). if..: 500 new questions for the game of life.. New
York: Villard.
Chapter Three - 39
McFarlane, E., & Saywell, J. (2000). Would You? Questions to challenge your beliefs. New
York: Villard.
Mager, R. F. (1984). Preparing instructional objectives. (2nd. Ed.). Belmont, CA: Pittman
Learning.
Napell, S.M. (1980). Updating tine lecture. Journal of Teacher Education, 29, 53-56.
Nyquist, J.D. & Wulff, D.H. (1990). Selected active learning strategies. I n J .A. Daly, G.W.
Fried rich & A.L. Vangelisti (Eds.), Teaching communication: Theory, research, and
methods, (pp. 337-362). Hillsdale, NJ : Lawrence Eribaum.
Pearson, J .C. (1990). Large lecture classes. In J .A. Daly, G.W. Friedrich & A.L. Vangelisti
(Eds.), Teaching communication: Theory, research, and methods, (pp. 293-300).
Hillsdale, NJ : Lawrence Eribaum.
Peters, R. J ., & Austin, N. A. (1985). A passion for excellence. New York: Random House.
Richmond, V. P. (1990). Communication in the classroom: Power and motivation.
Communication Education, 39, 181-195.
Richmond, V. P. (1990). Continuing education. In J. A. Daly, G. W. Friedrich, & A. L.
Vangelisti (Eds.). Teaching communication: Theory, research, and methods, (pp.
417-425). Hillsdale, NJ : Lawrence Eribaum Associates.
Richmond, V.P., Gorham, J . S., & McCroskey, J .C. (1987). The relationship between selected
immediacy behaviors and student learning. In M. McLaughlin (Ed.), Communication
Yearbook 10 (pp. 574-590). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
Rowe, M. (1974). Wait-time and rewards as instructional variables, their influence on
language, logic, and fate control: Part l--wait time. 7 ourna/ of Research in Science
Teaching, 11, 81-84.
Rowe, M. (1986). Wait time: Slowing down may be a way of speeding up! journal of
Teacher Education, 37, 43-50.
Seller, W.J. & McAliley, C. (1990). Individualized approaches to instruction. In J .A. Daly,
G.W. Friedrich & A.L. Vangelisti (Eds.), Teaching communication: Theory, research,
and methods, (pp. 317-335). Hillsdale, NJ : Lawrence Eribaum.
Smith, E. (1985). Are you creative? Business Week, Sept. 30., 80-84.
Stock, G. (1988). The kids' book of questions. New York: Workman.
Stock, G. (1987). The book of questions. New York: Workman.
Swift, J . & Gooding, C. (1983). Interaction of wait time feedback and questioning instruction
on middle school science teaching. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 20,
721-730.
Walker, O.M. & Scott, R.L. (1962). Thinking and speaking. New York: Macmillan.
Chapter Three - 40
Weaver, R.L., II. (1982). Positive qualities of the large-group lecturer. Focus on Learning, 8,
10-13.
Wrench, J. S., McCroskey, J. C, & Richmond, V. P. (2008). Human communication in
everyday life: Explanations and applications. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
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training. Lexington, MA: Information Resources.
Chapter Three - 41
COMMUNICATION, AFFECT, AND STUDENT NEEDS
Chapter Four Objectives
1. List and discuss tine communication roles/functions of tine student/ receiver in tine
instructional communication process.
2. Review some academic needs of students. Review several needs that "goes beyond
the academic."
3. Be able to explain and give examples of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and CIA.
4. Discuss the results of meeting student needs upon learning and classroom behavior.
To improve communication, we must fulfill student needs. To fulfill student needs,
we must employ effective and affective communication. When students' needs are not met,
problems arise. Glasser (1990) suggests, "when disruption occurs in schools, it is usually
with students who have had great difficulty satisfying their needs in school" (p. 135).
Students communicate with their instructors to satisfy certain academic, personal,
and interpersonal needs. Most teachers attempt to satisfy the academic needs of the
students. They feel an educational commitment or obligation to fulfill these needs, but other
student needs often are neglected. However, some teachers try to communicate with their
students to assist them to satisfy their personal and interpersonal needs, for they recognize
that if a student's personal and interpersonal needs are not met, the academic needs may
never be met either.
Recently, calls have increased for teaching to become more humane. Many argue
that educational systems must meet more than just academic needs for students to
succeed. In some educational systems today, there are special programs designed to help
meet the personal and interpersonal needs of the student, in conjunction with meeting the
academic need.
I n this chapter, we will briefly discuss the basic academic needs of students. Then we
will discuss two traditional interpersonal need models, which are often found in the
literature. Within each model a discussion of the many personal and interpersonal needs of
our students will be reviewed. Lastly, we will discuss some affective and communication
outcomes as a result of meeting student needs.
Chapter Four - 42
Measuring Student Affect
A number of different measures have been developed by researchers to examine
affect in the classroom. For the purposes of this textbook, the measure designed by
McCroskey (1994) will be used. This instrument measures students' attitudes toward (1)
instructor of the course (teacher evaluation), (2) content of the course (affective learning),
along with measures of higher order levels of student affect, (3) taking additional classes in
the subject matter, and (4) taking additional classes with the teacher. Dimensions two and
three are in congruence with Krathwohl, Bloom, and Masia's (1956) conceptualization of the
affective domain in learning. Dimensions one and four represent teacher evaluation. Figure
4.1 is the affective learning measure.
Affective Learning {Pleasure
Please circle the number that best represents your feelings. The closer a number is to the
item/adjective the more you feel that way.
Overall, the instructor I have in the class is:
1 Bad 1234567 Good
2 Valuable 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Worthless
3 Unfair 12 3 4 5 6 7 Fair
4 Positive 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Negative
I feel the class' content is:
5 Bad 1234567 Good
6 Valuable 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Worthless
7 Unfair 12 3 4 5 6 7 Fair
8 Positive 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Negative
My likelihood of taking future courses in this content area is:
9 Unlikely 12 3 4 5 6 7 Likely
10 Possible 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Impossible
11 Improbable 12 3 4 5 6 7 Probable
12 Would 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Would not
My likelihood of taking future courses with this specific teacher is:
13 Unlikely 12 3 4 5 6 7 Likely
14 Possible 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Impossible
15 Improbable 12 3 4 5 6 7 Probable
16 Would 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Would not
Scoring:
Teacher Evaluation: Add (1, 2, 3, & 4)
Affective Learning: Add (5, 6, 7, & 8)
Future Content: Add (9, 10, 11, & 12)
Future Teacher: Add (13, 14, 15, &16)
Scores should be between 4 & 28. Higher scores indicate higher affective levels.
Chapter Four - 43
Scoring for Affective Learning and Instructor Evaluation:
Affective Learning = Affect toward content + Affect toward classes in tinis context.
Instructor Evaluation = Affect toward instructor + Affect toward taking classes with this
instructor.
Source:
McCroskey, J . C. (1994). Assessment of affect toward communication and affect toward
instruction in communication. In S. Morreale & M. Brooks (Eds.), 1994 SCA summer
conference proceedings and prepared remarks: Assessing college student competence in
speech communication. Annandale, VA: Speech Communication Association.
Figure 4.1 Affective Learning Measure
Overall, this measure is useful to determine how students affectively feel in your
classroom. This measure can be used in a number of different ways. You could use the
teacher evaluation factor to see how students affectively feel about you as their teacher at
various points during a school year. Another idea is to use the content sections (future
classes and affective learning) to determine initial content affect and previous affective
learning at the beginning of the school year. Sadly, if a student enters into your class with
low affective learning initially, it is going to be a constant struggle if the affective
component is not treated.
Basic Academic Needs of Students
If we were to take a poll of the basic academic needs of students in a typical
classroom in any school in this country, many of the needs listed would still have an
interpersonal or personal edge to them. This is significant in that students will always
commingle their own interpersonal needs with academic needs. In this section, we will
review six basic academic needs of students.
One: Each student in our classroom needs to have an understanding of our
instructional goals and objectives.
If we do not communicate our instructional goals clearly and concisely, we will have
students who are confused or misguided. We will have students who have no direction,
meaning, or understanding of what they should be doing. All of us have sat in classrooms
where we had no idea what the instructional manager wanted us to do, so we did whatever
it was we thought they wanted us to do. Most of the time it was wrong. After awhile, we
Chapter Four - 44
may have stopped performing. In short, we behaved normally and did not succeed, at least
as the instructor would have defined success.
Two: Each of us needs to have a goal for each lesson we teach.
We need to constantly inform, remind, and communicate to our students as we
accomplish our goal. Goal setting will reduce the likelihood of having inattentive, confused,
direction- less students. In fact Wlodkowski (1978) suggested that:
...with the goal-setting model, the student knows that she or he is in
command and can calculate what to do to avoid wasting time or experiencing
self-defeat. Thus, before even beginning the learning task, the student knows
that her/his effort will be worthwhile and has an actual sense that there is a
good probability for success, (p. 54)
Three: Our instruction should match the students' cognitive
development/ potential and learning style.
We are well aware of the fact that students are grouped according to ability, grades,
and achievement. Regardless we need to occasionally take note of each of our students'
cognitive development and maturity. We cannot assume because students are in the same
grade they have the same cognitive abilities, development, or potential. If we make this
assumption, many of our students will cease to learn and their cognitive development will
drop sharply. We should attempt to match the content to the student's cognitive ability.
In addition, we should attempt to match the content to the student's learning style.
No two students learn exactly the same way. Now this doesn't mean that we have to
determine each and every student's learning style. It does mean that we need to be more
cognizant of the various learning styles or preferences and learning paces of our students
and have a variety of instructional approaches to each lesson. Dembo (1977) suggests that:
A teacher who uses the best textbooks available and develops the most
interesting and stimulating lesson plans can still fail to reach a majority of
students in his (her) classes who do not have the necessary structures
(operations) to enable them to "understand" the presented material. This
means that the classroom teacher must be able to (1) assess a child's level of
cognitive development, and (2) determine the type of ability the child needs
to understand the subject matter (p. 273).
Chapter Four - 45
In conclusion, we should be aware of our student's current cognitive capabilities,
learning styles, learning preferences, and learning pace. We should attempt to
accommodate and assure students' learning by using materials and lesson plans that will
enable them to learn and understand.
Four: Our students have a need or desire to be active participants in thie learning
process.
Leonard (1968) noted, "no environment can strongly affect a person unless it is strongly
interactive" (p. 39). We believe that when students are more actively involved in the learning
process, more learning is likely to occur than when they are passive observers. For example, more
learning is likely in classrooms where there are many student-to-teacher interactions,
student-to-student interactions, and question and answer sessions; where teachers provide
feedback and students are encouraged to communicate about the content. Students often learn
more by participating in the learning process than by sitting by and watching or listening. V. Jones
and L. Jones (1981) noted, "children tend to learn what they do rather than what they see or hear"
(p. 42). At various points in the instructional process we should stop and have the students
participate actively in some manner:
Good pedagogy must involve presenting the child with situations in which he
himself (or she, herself) experiments, in the broadest sense of that
term--trying things out to see what happens, manipulating things,
manipulating symbols, posing questions and seeking his (or her) own
answers, reconciling what he (or she) finds one time with what he (or she)
finds at another, comparing his (or her) findings with those of other children.
(Duckworth, 1964, p. 2).
In summary, when students do, students learn. When students don't do, they may or
may not learn. Often very passive, unmotivated students will not learn in a passive,
unmotivated environment. Hence, we have to make learning fun and exciting.
Five: Regardless of the age of the student, they have a need to see how the
content relates to their lives and pursue some interests of their own.
Students are more willing to listen, to communicate, to inquire, and to learn if the
subject matter has some relevance in their lives and if they are allowed to pursue some of
Chapter Four - 46
their own interests. JVlany of us inave Inad tine experience of inaving to attend or being forced
to attend meetings or worl<slnops winicin inold no interest to us or our immediate lives. Yet we
went, we fussed about it, we sat politely, and we learned only that we would never attend
another meeting unless forced to do so. We don't want our students feeling this way about
our classes. We want our students to see that what we are teaching is relevant to them,
their lives, and their futures. We can often encourage this view by allowing our students to
pursue some of their interests and relate them back to the classroom content. If students
are allowed to pursue some of their own interests, their enthusiasm might build for our class
and content. Students more than ever are asking, "how does this relate to me, or what I
do?" Glasser (1969) examined the reasons for students failing and found that:
...with increasing frequency from grade one through the end of graduate
school, much of what is required is either totally or partially irrelevant to the
world around them as they see it. Thus both excess memorization and
increasing irrelevance cause them to withdraw into failure and strike out in
delinquent acts. (p. 30)
Finally, we need to adapt our lessons to the lives of our students, allow them to
integrate some of their own interests into our lessons, and be able to answer the question,
"So teacher, how do I use this?"
Six: Perhaps more important thian thie othier academic needs of students is tfie
need to experience success in thie classroom.
The reports are out weekly: experiencing success, not failure, in the classroom
environment will lead to better students, more motivated students, better teachers, and
better classrooms. Absolutely nobody enjoys being in an environment where they fail over
and over. Why should we think that it is any different for our students? When students have
long-term failure experiences, they tend to become negative, communicate about school in
a negative fashion, and mentally or physically drop out of the system. From the day they
enter school until the day they complete school, our students should be able to count more
successes than failures. If all they experience is failure then our system is failing them.
Traditional I nterpersonal Need i^lodels
Before we continue, we should have an established definition for the way we are
using the word "needs." A need is a goal, state, activity, object, or a thing whose
attainment will facilitate or promote a person acquiring a better psychological, emotional.
Chapter Four - 47
behavioral, affective, or cognitive condition. Tinere are tinree primary cinaracteristics of
needs. Needs are usually viewed as acquired, developed, or learned. Often our students
come into school with a set of learned needs which they expect us to fulfill. They have
usually learned or become aware of these needs from parents, guardians, other adults,
siblings, and peer groups.
Needs are of an internal or external nature. Needs that have an internal nature are
often fulfilled by the individual, however, needs that have an external nature are often
dependent upon another individual assisting in the fulfillment of the need. For example,
many of our students have not acquired a highly sophisticated method of giving themselves
internal rewards, hence, they expect us to fulfill their external needs in order for them to
feel good internally about themselves. This places us in a very precarious and risky
situation. We want our students to be able to reward themselves internally, however, many
do not seem to be able to do this without first having us reward them externally. Most of us
have learned that in order to stimulate a student's internal reward system, often we have to
first reward their external reward system through communication and affect. Student
fulfillment of needs is linked with how successfully the teacher is able to fulfill those needs
through communication and affect building strategies.
Lastly, needs can change or vary as situations, demands, and variables change. For
example, often when we get one need satisfied, then we have another need arise that
requires attention. Or, some low level need is satisfied, then we begin focusing on higher
level needs that require attention. Or, sometimes we have to prioritize our needs. In some
cases, we might abandon one need in favor of a higher level need or more immediate need.
For example, when our supervisors tell us to have the attendance forms completed by 9:05
A. M., we may abandon the need to go to the restroom in order to meet the more
immediate need (attendance forms by 9:05 a. m.). Often the same is true of our students.
For example, a student has to complete a project before the class period is over, but he or
she needs to go to the restroom. Finally, the restroom need outweighs the project
fulfillment need and the student asks to leave the room. The student fulfills the most
immediate need (e. g., restroom), but he or she may not be able to fulfill the other need (e.
g., completion of the project).
While needs are usually learned, have an external and internal component, and can
change, all persons have an agenda of needs that must be satisfied for effective
interpersonal relationships and communication. Students have these agendas too. We will
discuss two traditional need models that impact the way we feel and communicate and the
way our students feel and communicate.
Chapter Four - 48
Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation
Schutz (1958; 1966) developed a measure called the Fundamental Interpersonal
Relations Orientation - Behavior (FIRO-B) scale. This measure was designed to determine a
person's need to express and a person's need to receive three of the most important
interpersonal needs: control, inclusion, and affection. Schutz felt people desired a balance
between expression of control, inclusion, and affection, and the need to receive a certain
amount of control, inclusion, and affection.
The interpersonal need for control is associated with the need to demonstrate
influence, dominance, power, compliance, responsibility, and guidance. This is often viewed
as the need for communicating behavior control. There are two dimensions to the need for
control. The first dimension is concerned with the personal need to express some control
over one's own surroundings and environmental circumstances. Students, of all ages, need
to feel they can exert some control over certain facets of their school environment. They
need to feel they are occasionally "in control." We will encounter this behavior quite
frequently, even in little children. Often our students like to exert control, be in charge, in
command, influence others, direct others, and so on. They like to demonstrate to others
that they can make decisions, follow rules, do things on their own, and show us they are
responsible, competent human beings. The second dimension is concerned with the
personal need to receive some control, direction, or guidance from another. Students, of all
ages, need to feel that they are receiving direction, guidance, and control in certain facets
of their educational career. For example, it is legitimate for the teacher to assist in guiding a
student through a project -- to show her or him the right way of doing something. It is also
appropriate for a teacher to control a student's behavior when the student is misbehaving.
The interpersonal need for inclusion is associated with the need for being included,
being a part of a group, being able to fit in, or being a member of a group. This is often
viewed as the need for social inclusion. Social inclusion is often seen as the need to
communicate, associate, and interact with others. There are two dimensions to the need for
inclusion. The first dimension is concerned with the personal need to express inclusion to
others. Students, of all ages, need to feel they can assist others in becoming a part of a
group. Students truly fulfill their inclusion need when they are able to recognize and assist
other students with affiliation. The second dimension is concerned with the personal need to
receive recognition, affiliation, or association with a group or club. Students often rely on
teachers to assist them in becoming a member of a group. We often recognize those
students who need a little extra help in "fitting in."
Chapter Four - 49
The interpersonal need for affection or affinity is associated witin tine need for being
lil<ed, accepted, loved, and cared for. The affinity-seeking need is often viewed as the need
to communicate in such a way we can get others to like and accept us. There are two
dimensions to the need for affection. The first dimension is concerned with the personal
need to express affection to others. Students, of all ages, need to feel they can express
warmth, friendliness, and caring to others in the school environment. Students often fulfill
their affection need by telling us how much they like us. The second dimension is concerned
with the personal need to receive affection, liking, warmth, friendliness, and caring.
Students often rely on teachers to give them affection. We often recognize those students
who need a little extra affection or care and try to give it to them.
In conclusion, Schutz (1966) gives the following ideas about distinctions among the
three primary needs:
A difference between affection behavior, inclusion behavior, and control
behavior is illustrated by the different feelings a man has in being turned
down by a fraternity, failed in a course by a professor, and rejected by his
girl. The fraternity excludes him and tells him, in effect, that they as a group
don't have sufficient interest in him. The professor fails him and says, in
effect, that he finds him incompetent in his field. His girl rejects him, and tells
him, in effect, that she doesn't find him lovable, (p. 24).
We agree with Schutz, that the need for control, inclusion, and affection are as relevant to a
person as the needs for food and water. We go one step further and suggest if students'
needs for behavior control, social inclusion, and affection or affinity are not fulfilled, we may
have problem students in our classrooms and schools.
Interpersonal/ Instructional Needs Approach
Hurt, Scott, and McCroskey (1978) suggested a number of interpersonal problems
could arise because student needs are not met. They suggested when the control, social,
and affection needs of students are not met their intellectual, academic, and interpersonal
communication skills might suffer. We have attempted to expand their ideas concerning the
need for behavior control, social inclusion, and affection. Below is a discussion of potential
outcomes from not meeting the personal and interpersonal needs of students.
When students fail to meet their need for some control over some of their
educational circumstances two distinct behavior patterns might emerge. They might become
Chapter Four - 50
very submissive or very rebellious. The extremely submissive student believes others in the
school regard them as incompetent, incapable, irresponsible, subordinate to others,
resigned to being a follower, not a leader, uncomfortable with making decisions,
unassertive, unable to defend their rights, and easy to push around. In fact, they often
behave and communicate in the manner which others have ascribed for them. They do not
ask questions when they should, don't seek extra help, don't join in exercises and groups,
wait for others to tell them what to do, and often don't seek out more information about
assignments and the subject matter. They often miss out on acquiring and learning new
academic knowledge.
On the other hand, the extremely rebellious student believes others in the school
regard them as aggressive, rude, pushy, disagreeable, unmanageable, uncontrollable,
resistant to teacher or principal control efforts, disobedient, and quarrelsome. In fact, they
often behave and communicate in the manner which others have ascribed for them. They
ask more questions than needed, refuse to do certain assignments, always quarrel over
assignments, grades, and so on, attempt to exert large amounts of control over others,
push other students around, attempt to become a leader by fear and intimidation, and
communicate in an offensive manner. These students are most often the class problems or
disruptive students, and little learning is taking place (for more information on student
misbehaviors, see chapter 11). Most of their communication efforts are spent on
maintaining control or staying in charge of things.
When students fail to meet their need to be included socially, two distinct behavioral
patterns might emerge. They might become very undersocial or very oversocial. The
undersocial student believes others in the school regard them as aloof, completely
independent, unsociable, cynical, solitary, cold, unpleasant, and even impolite. These are
the students who are seen as "uppity," "too good for the rest," or "snobbish." In fact, they
often behave and communicate in the manner that others have ascribed for them. They
might reduce their communication with others as a means of protection, cut themselves off
from possible friendships, not work with others in a cooperative manner, be cool to others
who approach them to help them, and exhibit an "I don't need you attitude." This type of
student is very difficult for a teacher to work with because the student is not friendly or
pleasant. We often have to work very hard at integrating this person into our classroom
experiences.
On the other hand, the oversocial student believes others in the school regard them
as jolly, outgoing, and attention seeking. In fact, they often behave or communicate in the
manner which others have ascribed for them. They might become the "class clown," use
Chapter Four - 51
inappropriate communication and attention getting beinaviors, dominate communication
situations, violate an accepted social norm, prevent others from learning by being overly
outgoing, and do silly things at inappropriate times. This type of student, too, is very
difficult for a teacher to work with because the student is overly concerned about belonging,
fitting in, and wants to communicate with her or his peer group, not the teacher.
When students fail to meet their need for affection or affinity, two distinct behavioral
patterns might emerge. They might become \/ery impersonal or very overpersonal. The
impersonal student believes others in the school regard them as cold, unfeeling, uncaring,
detached, unemotional, and unconcerned. In fact, they often behave and communicate in
the manner that others have ascribed for them. They become cautious or tentative about
developing a relationship with anyone, stay on guard when with others, rarely reveal
personal things about themselves, communicate in a cold, impersonal fashion, and reveal
only surface information about themselves. The impersonal student is difficult for a teacher
to assist. They remain aloof and distant from the teacher. They will not seek help when they
need it and rarely approach us.
On the other hand, the overpersonal student believes others in the school regard
them as too personal, too revealing, and too open. In fact, they often behave and
communicate in the manner that others have ascribed for them. They become overly
communicative, they want to reveal information about themselves and their family they
shouldn't, they want to talk about other teachers and students, they discuss topics in class
and in other open areas which are inappropriate, they reveal too much private information
about themselves, and tend to rush into relationships. Frankly, they make us very
uncomfortable because they self-disclose very private information about themselves and
others close to them to us. In addition, they want to be our best friends or best buddies and
we are not comfortable with this either.
As you can surmise, the failure to satisfy the student needs for control, social
inclusion, and affinity can influence teacher/student relationships, communication, affect,
and student academic achievement. When students are rebellious, overly social, and overly
personal not only do their academics suffer but so do their communication relationships with
us, their peers, and others in the school environment. Likewise when students are
submissive, undersocial, and impersonal their academics and communication relationships
with school affiliates suffer.
Chapter Four - 52
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Maslow (1970) designed a hierarchy of human needs. He felt that lower level needs
must be met first before higher level needs could be considered. His theory is like building
blocks. Any good building block structure must have a solid, firm, good foundation before it
can support more blocks. As blocks are added, the building grows. The hierarchy of human
needs is like an infant learning to climb stairs. It is one step at a time, some steps take
longer to master than others, but eventually the infant will reach the top step. For example,
a person has to eat in order to survive to fulfill other needs. Our students often have to
fulfill their lower level, basic needs before they move onto high level needs. Let's use the
food example again. Many schools have breakfast and lunch programs provided free for
students so they know the student's need for food has been satisfied and now he or she is
ready to tackle higher level needs. Below are descriptions of the needs that are in the
hierarchy from lowest level needs to higher level needs. Figure 4.1 demonstrates Maslow's
hierarchy of needs.
Self-Actualization
Esteem
Love and E
Jeiongingness
Safety
Physiologic
:al
Figure 4.1 Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
The physiological needs are "the most prepotent of all needs" (Maslow, 1970, p. 36).
These needs must be satisfied if the body is to continue functioning. Physiological needs are
needs such as food, water, air, sleep, rest, and need for activity or stimulation. This need
must be satisfied so that people can function well. If these needs are not satisfied, a person
does not function well and they cannot move to a higher need without fulfilling this need.
For example, many of our students are tired or need rest. Until they get the proper amount
of rest, they are thinking of little else.
The safety needs include the need for safety or protection from threats of harm or
actual physical harm. In addition, there is a need for security, freedom from fear, structure
Chapter Four - 53
and order, and stability. From observing botin cinildren and adults, Maslow concludes that we
both want "a safe, orderly, predictable, lawful, organized world" (p. 40). If our students feel
threatened or scared they will not be able to function and think about higher level needs.
This is why our classrooms must be "safe shelters" or "safe places" for them to be. If we
make our classrooms "scary places" then our children won't be able to focus on learning,
they will only be able to focus on protection and safety needs. The next three steps in the
hierarchy focus more on interpersonal communication relationship needs. The first two steps
focused more on physical and biological needs.
The belongingness or affection needs encompass a hunger for affection, caring,
belongingness, and perhaps love. These needs include good, strong, affectionate family
relationships, peer relationships, and academic relationships. This is where the students
who are not included in academic affairs or school related events often miss out. This is also
where students who don't feel needed, loved, or interpersonally close to others tend to lose
out. When this need is not satisfied, then the students are constantly focusing on this need
and are never able to get past this level in the hierarchy. Sometimes this need might be
more important to them than even the need for food, water, or rest.
The esteem needs are affiliated with the desire to have status, dignity, respect,
recognition, attention, and to be appreciated by others. In addition, people have the need to
have a high, stable opinion of one's own self. We not only want to be respected but we want
self-respect. We must remember that a person who does not respect her or himself will not
garner respect from another. This is where we develop our self-esteem. Often our students
strive to please us so they can achieve our appreciation, respect, recognition, and support.
Lastly, the self-actualization need is the desire to do or be what one is uniquely
suited for. "A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to
be ultimately at peace with himself" (Maslow, 1970, p. 46). This is the need to use our
abilities, potentials, skills, and talents to achieve and be all that we can be. For example, a
good teacher makes good students, and then good students make us better teachers. There
is some controversy as to whether a person can truly ever be self-actualized.
Self-actualization can also vary dramatically from person to person in its expression. A
person may be self-actualized if they feel that they have used all their skills, talents, and
ability to better her or himself.
In summary, if we don't meet some of the interpersonal needs of our students we
will never have the opportunity to meet the academic needs of our students. Most all of our
students have interpersonal needs that demand constant attention. The interpersonal needs
of love, belongingness, inclusion, and esteem must be met either separately or in
Chapter Four - 54
conjunction with tineir academic needs. Tine next section reviews various verbal and
nonverbal communication strategies for meeting the social and interpersonal needs of our
students.
Outcomes of Meeting Student Needs
While it may seem simple, the general conclusion that can be drawn from the above
is that when student needs are met, teacher/student communication will be improved and
teacher/student affect will increase. When teachers communicate in such a way that student
needs are satisfied, then student affect will increase for the teacher. When teachers have
higher affect with their students then effective communication will increase between teacher
and student. Hurt, Scott, and McCroskey (1978) summarize by stating:
In closing, we would like to reemphasize that the fact that students' needs go
beyond the acquisition of academic skills. Long after forgetting what
happened on a particular date in history, or how to conjugate a French verb,
or how to solve an algebraic equation, students will continue to experience
the needs we have talked about. Thus, we accomplish a number of things
when we try to reduce the distance between ourselves and our students and
thereby assist them in satisfying these needs. At the very minimum, we may
thwart the possibility of interpersonal needs interfering with the satisfaction of
academic needs, improve communication, and promote interpersonal
solidarity. At the same time, we also may be assisting our students in
satisfying interpersonal needs when classrooms, for them, have long been a
thing of the past. (pp. 188-189)
This is an overall result of meeting student needs. Below is a systematic breakdown of the various
outcomes of meeting student needs.
First, whenever basic student needs are satisfied, the student is able to focus more
clearly on the purposes of schooling, education, and learning. Our students are more
competent at being receivers of educational information and processing the information and
responding appropriately to the information.
Second, when basic student needs are satisfied, the student is more likely to behave
in a socially responsible manner and not become the classroom discipline problem. Often
when student needs are unfulfilled, the student exhibits socially unacceptable behaviors and
becomes the educational system's discipline nightmare.
Chapter Four - 55
Third, when basic student needs are fulfilled, the classroom manager has more
positive feelings toward her or his students. Teachers who cannot fulfill student needs or
don't recognize student needs are often less positive about their students than teachers who
recognize and fulfill student needs. A classroom full of satisfied students leads to a satisfied
instructor.
Fourth, when basic student needs are met, students are more likely to internalize the
information they have received. Students are more willing to listen, learn, and internalize
educational ideas when their minds and bodies have been satisfied in needed ways.
Students who internalize information use the information more often then students who
don't internalize. Hence, if meeting student needs aids in internalization of information, then
we should attempt to meet more student needs.
Fifth, a teacher who meets student needs is likely to have students who are more
willing to listen, learn, and have increased attention spans. Students who are not worrying
about some of their needs being fulfilled can listen longer and pay more attention in class.
Sixth, when basic student needs are fulfilled, the interaction between student and
teacher and student to student will increase. In addition, the communication is more likely
to be constructive and effective, because the student is not focused on some basic need
that requires attention. To improve communication, we must fulfill needs; to fulfill needs,
we must employ effective communication. Fulfilling needs and effective communication are
often interdependent.
Seventh, the teacher who fulfills basic student needs has students who are more
willing to work with one another cooperatively and collaboratively on instructional projects.
When students are not focused on some basic need, they can work with others without
dissension and grievances.
In summary, students that view their teachers as able to satisfy some of their basic
needs are more satisfied with their teacher, the instructional model, and school. They also
have more effective communication relationships with their instructors, their peers, and
school administrators. In addition, the parents of students who have their needs fulfilled
generally feel more positive about the teachers, the school, and the administrators. The
fulfillment of needs leads to increased positive affect for teachers, school, and the system.
References and Recommended Readings
Chesbro, J . L., & McCroskey, J . C. (2001). The relationship of teacher clarity and immediacy
with student state receiver apprehension, affect, and cognitive learning.
Communication Education, 50, 59-68.
Chapter Four - 56
Dembo, M. (1977). Teaching for learning: Applying educational psychology in the
classroom. Santa Monica, CA: Goodyear.
Duckworth, E. (1964). Piaget rediscovered. In R. D. Ripple & V. N. Rockcastle (Ed.). Piaget
rediscovered: A report of the conference on cognitive skills and curriculum
development. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University, School of Education.
Dunn, R., & Dunn, K. (1993). Teaching secondary students through their individual learning
styles. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
Frymier, A. B., & Houser, M. L. (2000). The teacher-student relationship as an interpersonal
relationship. Communication Education, 49, 207-219.
Glasser, W. (1969). Schools without failure. New York: Harper & Row.
Glasser, W. (1990). The quality school. New York: Harper & Row.
Herber, H. L., & Herber J . N. (1993). Teaching in content areas with reading, writing, and
reasoning. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
Hurt, T. H., Scott, M. D., & McCroskey, J. C. (1978). Communication in the classroom.
Reading, MA: Addison Wesley.
Jones, V. F., & Jones, L. S. (1981). Responsible classroom discipline. Boston, MA: Allyn &
Bacon.
Krathwohl, D. R., Bloom, B. S., & Masia, B. B. (1956). Taxonomy of educational objectives.
Handbook II : Affective Domain. New York: David McKay.
Leonard, G. (1968). Education and ecstasy. New York: Dell.
McCroskey, J. C. (1994). Assessing college student competency in speech communication.
In S. Morreale, M. Brooks, R. Berko, & C. Cooke (Eds.), 1994 SCA Summer
Conference Proceedings and Prepared Remarks (pp. 56-68). Alexandria, VA: Speech
Communication Association.
McCroskey, J . C. (1998). An introduction to communication in the classroom (2"^ Ed.).
Acton, MA: Tapestry Press.
Martin, M. M., Myers, S. A., & Mottet, T. P. (1999). Students' motives for communicating
with their instructors. Communication Education, 48, 155-164.
Maslow, A. H. (1970). Motivation and personality. (2nd. Ed.). New York: Harper & Row.
Niebrand, C, Horn, E., & Holmes, R. (1992). The pocket mentor: A handbook for teachers.
Portland, Maine: J. Weston Walch Publisher.
Richmond, V. P. (1989). A contemporary graduate program in communication in instruction.
Communication Education, 38, 356-363.
Richmond, V. P. (1990). Communication in the classroom: Power and motivation.
Communication Education, 39, 181-195.
Chapter Four - 57
Richmond, V. P. (1990). Continuing education. In J. A. Daly, G. W. Friedrich, & A. L.
Vangelisti (Eds.). Teaching communication: Ttieory, researcii, and metliods. (pps.
417-426). Hillsdale, NJ : Lawrence Eribaum.
Richmond, V. P., & McCroskey, J. C. (1993). Communication: Overview and framework. In
M. J. O'Hair & S. J. O'Dell (Eds.). Diversity and teacliing. (pp. 165-174). New York:
Harcourt Brace J avanovich.
Richmond, V. P., & McCroskey, J. C. (Eds.). (1992). Power in tlie classroom:
Communication, control, and concern. Hillsdale, NJ : Lawrence Eribaum.
Rocca, K. A., & McCroskey, J. A. (1999). The Interrelationship of student ratings of
instructors' immediacy, verbal aggressiveness, homophily, and interpersonal
attraction. Communication Education, 48, 308-316.
Schutz, W. (1958). FIRO: Fundamental interpersonal relations orientation. New York: Holt,
Rinehart & Winston.
Schutz, W. (1966). The interpersonal underworld. Palo Alto, CA: Science and Behavior
Books.
Stipek, D. J. (1993). Motivation to learn: From theory to practice. (2nd. Ed.). Boston, MA:
Allyn and Bacon.
Wlodkowski, R. (1978). Motivation and teaching: A practical guide. Washington, D. C:
National Education Association.
Wrench, J. S., McCroskey, J. C, & Richmond, V. P. (2008). Human communication in
everyday life: Explanations and applications. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Chapter Four - 58
LEARNING STYLES
Chapter Five Objectives
1. Describe the explanations concerning inow learning occurs.
2. Distinguish between learning style and learning preference.
3. List and discuss the various learning styles. Give examples of each learning style.
4. Review instructional strategies to be employed with different learning styles.
Not all students learn in the same way. Learning styles have been defined as the
"cognitive, affective, and physiological traits that serve as relatively stable indicators of how
learners perceive, interact with, and respond to learning environments" (Keefe, 1982, p.
43). Within teaching- learning interactions, an effort to assess learning style reflects a
receiver orientation and recognizes that students differ in their preference for and ability to
process various kinds of instructional messages. Style elements may be conditions under
which an individual is most comfortable and prefers to learn, or they may be factors which
must be recognized to understand how information is processed and stored (Gorham,
1986). These conditions can be assessed through both observation of and discussion with
the student.
Discussions of learning style appeared in the literature as early as 1892, but early
findings were plagued with methodological problems and with a preoccupation with
determining the one stylistic insight that would most improve student learning. Current
efforts to explain how students learn best tend to follow one of two paths: one group is
primarily concerned with attempts to explain differences in cognitive processing, or how
one's brain makes sense of information; the other group focuses on applied models of
learning and teaching and multidimensional analyses of styles. In this chapter, we will
further discuss the definition of learning style, review five dimensions of style assessment
and some of the approaches used to "get at" each of them, and discuss the implications of
understanding students' learning styles in terms of matching, bridging, and style-flexing
techniques.
What is Learning Style?
Most learning style elements are conceptualized as bipolar continua, on which an
individual student may fall at either extreme or anywhere in between. Most of the time, one
Chapter Five - 59
end is not considered any "better" tinan tine otiner; altinougin students witin some learning
styles tend to perform better in traditional classrooms than do others, this is considered a
problem with instructional technique more than a problem with the student. For some
students, learning style reflects a preference; for others, it is a factor which must be taken
into account for learning to occur. This difference can be illustrated through the following
exercise:
Part one: Fold your hands. (Come on; put the book down and participate!) Notice
which of your thumbs is on top. Now fold your hands again so the other
thumb is on top.
Part two: With both your eyes open, focus on a small, distant object. Raise your index
finger and line it up with the object. Close your right eye. Open it and close
your left eye. Notice which eye is closed when your finger appears to "jump"
so it is no longer in front of the object with which you aligned it. Now try to
line up your finger so it "jumps" when the other eye is closed.
In the first part of this exercise, you probably had no particular difficulty refolding
your hands with the other thumb on top, but it felt quite awkward to do so. In fact, you
probably realized that you never fold your hands that way! Now suppose we offered to
reward you for being a left- thumb- on- top hand-folder -- every time we caught you in class
with your hands folded with the left thumb on top you would receive ten dollars. Those who
are already left-thumb-on-top people wouldn't have to give hand-folding another thought;
however, those who are right-thumb-on-top people would have to divert some of the
attention they would normally pay to the information being discussed in class to monitoring
their thumb positions. Also, attempt to clasp your hands repeatedly alternating which thumb
is on top very quickly. This becomes fairly tricky for most people. This is similar to the effect
of a learning style preference. Students who prefer to learn in the morning, or by hands-on
activities, or without background noise can usually adapt to learning in the afternoon, or by
listening, or with background noise, but some of the energy they would be able to direct
toward learning is deflected toward coping with the learning situation.
In the second part of the exercise, you probably found it impossible to change your
dominant eye (the best people can do is usually to make themselves see a double image
and try to decide which one to focus on!). This would be similar to the effect of a learning
style factor. Students for whom time of day or perceptual modality or environmental noise
Chapter Five - 40
is a style factor, find it extremely difficult if not impossible to learn when the particular
condition is not met. For example, studies with students who have been identified as
learning disabled have indicated that many of them are those for whom time of day is a
factor in their learning, and that the subject in which they are having the greatest difficulty
each year changes depending on which is being taught at the worst time of day for the
individual child.
Learning style may be assessed in terms of cognitive processing, perceptual modality
(visual, auditory, or tactile/kinesthetic learners), affective or motivational orientations,
and/or structural/environmental dimensions. While cognitive processing tends to be the
most stable and the most likely to be a factor in learning, teachers will encounter individual
cases in which any one of the style elements might be a factor for a particular student. We
will be discussing approaches to accommodating such differences in learning style later in
this chapter; however, first we will describe some of the ways in which style can be
assessed.
Dimensions of Learning Style and Their Assessment
There is an extensive and highly diverse body of literature on learning style, much of
which consists of papers which have enjoyed limited circulation and which report on
individual teachers' applications of style-based assessment in their own classrooms --
sometimes using tested instruments and sometimes using their own intuitive approaches.
The assessment approaches we have chosen to discuss here were selected as
representative of those that have been the most extensively tested and as indicative of five
general approaches to conceptualizing various dimensions of learning style.
Perceptual Modality
Perceptual modality refers to the three basic ways in which people perceive reality:
the visual (reading and viewing), the aural (hearing and speaking), and the psychomotor or
tactile/kinesthetic (touching and doing). Some people have a single modality strength.
Some are equally comfortable in two, and some in all three. The most frequent modality
strengths are visual and mixed (each accounts for about 30 % of the population). About
25% are auditory and about 15 % kinesthetic. Primary grade children are more auditory
than visual, with kinesthesia (surprisingly) the least well developed modality. Between
kindergarten and sixth grade a shift to visual and kinesthetic strengths occurs, and
somewhere between junior high school and adulthood there is another shift in which
audition becomes more important than kinesthesia, with vision remaining the dominant
Chapter Five - 41
modality. At any age, however, any given individual will have her or his own modality
strengths.
Visually-oriented students will often stop reading to look into space and imagine a
scene, recognize spelling words by sight, be distracted by visual disorder or movement,
become impatient when extensive listening is required, be neat and meticulous, and like
order. Auditorial-oriented students often move their lips when they read, use a phonics
approach to spelling, are easily distracted by sounds, like hearing themselves and others
talk, can explain their choice of clothes but are not very concerned with matching their
items of apparel, and blow up verbally (but calm down quickly) when they are angry.
Kinesthetically-oriented students are frequently not avid readers or good spellers; they are
partial to stories where action occurs early, likely to gesture extensively when speaking,
often those who begin the day neat but become wrinkled because of physical activity, better
at writing if not confined to a small space, and likely to express emotion in a physically
exuberant way.
One research who has spent a lot of time investigating perceptual modality is New
Zeelander Neil Fleming. Fleming has created the VARK (Visual-Aural-Reading-Kinetic) model
of perceptual modality (Fleming & Mills, 1992). Fleming's (2001) addition to the field of
perceptual modality was differentiating between visual learning and reading. Fleming
purports that visual involves preferences for the depiction of information in maps, diagrams,
charts, graphs, flow charts, labeled diagrams, and other visual devices instructors use to
represent what could have been presented in words. Conversely, the reading component of
the VARK model involves a learner's preference for written text. To learn what type of
learner you are, you can fill out the VARK questionnaire by visiting Neil Fleming's website at
www.vark-learn.com. According to Fleming and Baume (2006), the VARK website receives
over 10,000 hits per week because teachers and learners alike are interested in how
perceptual modality influences learning in the classroom.
Information Processing
Information processing, or cognitive style, refers to how learners make sense out of
information. Some grasp abstract concepts easily; whereas, some people need to see
concrete applications. Some learn well step-by-step, while others need to see the "big
picture" before they can make sense out of its separate parts. Some are analytical and like
discovery-oriented learning; some like lectures that simply lay out information.
The Embedded Figures Test, Preschool Embedded Figures Test, Children's Embedded
Figures Test, and Group Embedded Figures Test were developed based on Witkin's
Chapter Five - 42
conceptualization of field dependence (FD) and field independence (Fl) (Witkin, Dyke,
Oltman, Raskin, & Karp, 1971). Applications and analyses of the FD - Fl continuum have
been investigated in thousands of studies over the past thirty years, making this without
question the most comprehensively tested of the various approaches to defining learning (or
cognitive) style. These "tests" assess students' relative FD-FI through their ability to find
designated simple figures within complex plates or drawings. Figure 6.1 illustrates the kind
of problem posed by these tests (although it is not an actual item from them).
>^
V
k
Simple Form A
Find Simple Form A
(In the administration of the Embedded Figures Tests, subjects are first shown the simple
form, then the complex form. They do not see them side by side.)
Figure 6.1 Representative Embedded Figures Task
Field Dependent (FD) people are "lumpers," who find it difficult to split parts out of
the whole. They are often good at creative tasks, are better able to learn socially relevant
material, favor interactive teaching methods, and have lower performance expectations.
They find it difficult to make sense of individual lessons if they have not first been given an
overview of the big picture, so they know in advance how the separate facts and ideas fit
together. FDs more frequently assume a passive or spectator learning role, and are more
affected by both negative and positive reinforcement, by authority, and by the opinions of
others. They are particularly attentive to nonverbal cues and affective relationships. They
enjoy interpersonal interaction and are often attracted to interpersonally-oriented
occupations. Educationally disadvantaged students, such as those from lower socioeconomic
backgrounds, tend to be more field dependent than the norm.
Field Independent (Fl) people are "splitters," who tend to analytically examine the
big picture in terms of its parts. They have less need for externally provided structure or
Chapter Five - 43
regular performance feedback, and prefer expository teaching metinods sucin as lectures.
They pay more attention to nonsalient attributes in concept learning tasks than do FDs, and
will go off on their own tangents without worrying whether the pursuit of one is relevant to
the particular task at hand. They often assume a more active or participant learning role,
and are attracted to analytical professions such as engineering. FIs tend to do better in
traditional classrooms.
Torrance, Reynolds, Riegel, and Ball's (1977) measure of learning style assesses an
individual's tendency to emphasize left-brain, right-brain, or integrated- brain functioning.
Left brain dominance has been linked to the same general traits as field independence, and
right brain dominance to those of field dependence.
Kolb's Learning Styles I nventory
Kolb (1976) developed a Learning Styles Inventory in which respondents rank order
nine sets of four words (e.g., intense, reserved, rational, responsible) which distinguish
learners along two continua: concrete experience - abstract conceptualization and active
experimentation - reflective observation. As a result, an individual can be categorized as
one of four learning types: Diverger, Assimilator, Converger, and Accommodator. McCarthy
(1981) modified and combined the Kolb (1976) instruments to create a Learning Style
Inventory that indicates both the learner' type (Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, and Type 4) and,
within the type, her or his brain dominance (see Figure 6.2).
Concrete Experience
TYPE FOUR
TYPE ONE
Active
■
Experimentation
Accomodator
Diverger
Reflective
Observation
TYPE THREE
TYPE TWO
Converger
Assimilator
Abstract Conceptualization
FIGURE 6.2 Kolb and McCarthy's Learning Styles
Type One learners perceive information concretely and process it reflectively. They
are innovative, imaginative, and concerned with personal relevance. They need to clarify the
Chapter Five - 44
ways in which a new area of study linl<s with previous experience before they are receptive
to learning it. They learn best through methods that encourage brainstorming and empathy.
For Type One learners, teachers would create an experience (right brain mode) and then
help them analyze it (Left brain mode).
Type Two learners perceive information abstractly and process it reflectively.
Schools are traditionally designed for these learners, who value sequential thinking, details,
and expert opinion. They are data collectors, who learn best from teachers who are
information-givers. For type Two learners, teachers would give them facts (left mode) and
help them integrate those facts with experience (right mode).
Type Three learners perceive information abstractly and process it actively. They
like to "mess around" with ideas and enjoy solving problems that test theories against
common sense. They learn best with teachers who facilitate hands-on learning. For Type
Three learners, teachers would give them worksheets and activities (left mode) and let
them create them on their own (right mode).
Type Four learners perceive information concretely and process it abstractly. They
learn well by trial and error, with teachers who serve as evaluators and remediators but
who encourage self-discovery. They have a very practical orientation. For Type Four
learners, teachers would encourage them to create applied projects and share them with
others (right mode) and then help them analyze what they have done against theories and
concepts (left mode).
McCarthy's study of 17- and 18-year-old high school students categorized 35 percent
as Type One (of that group, 51 percent were right brain dominant, 21% left brain dominant,
and 29% integrated), 22% as Type Two (34% right, 41% left, 25% integrated), 18% as
Type Three (45% right, 24% left, 31% integrated), and 25% as Type Four (51% right, 32%
left, 17% integrated). Thus, only about 9% of all students were Type Two and left brain
dominant, the type of learner for whom most schools are structured. She subsequently
devised a means of integrating all information processing styles into curricular planning, a
method that will be discussed in the next section of this chapter.
Conceptual Tempo
A conceptual tempo refers to the time students need to get to work and complete a
learning task. Reflective learners tend to work slowly and with precision, where impulsive
learners tend to work more quickly and with less abandon. Schools often reward impulsivity
by encouraging speed of response and of task completion. Learners are being taught
quickness, but -- for those that are reflective -- that quickness may enhance the likelihood
Chapter Five - 45
of failure. Teachers can ask themselves the following questions to diagnose a conceptual
tempo: Does the student work deliberately and accurately, or quickly and inaccurately?
Does he or she work at the same pace at all tasks or vary the rate depending on the level of
challenge? Does he or she aim to do good work or just finish an assignment?
Affective Orientations
Affective orientation refers to attention, emotion, and valuing, all of which are
related to motivation.
Conceptual Level
Conceptual level is a motivational trait developed by Hunt and assessed through the
Paragraph Completion Method. Students are given six incomplete statements related to how
they handle conflict and asked to write at least three sentences about each (e.g.. What I
think about rules...) Because the method requires some degree of writing skill, it is rarely
used below the sixth grade level. The completed samples are scored on a scale of 0-3 in
terms of their conceptual complexity and personal maturity (not their content). Training and
practices are required to administer and score this assessment process.
Conceptual level describes students in terms of their requirements for structure in an
educational environment. Students who need much structure are characterized as having a
short attention span, wanting to be physically active, having difficulty functioning in groups
or discussions, and prone to guessing rather than working problems through. They need
definite and consistent rules, specific guidelines, short-term goals, and immediate feedback
on their work. Those who need a moderate amount of structure tend to be "good students"
who want to please the teacher, who have difficulty adjusting to a new teacher, are upset
with alterations to the school schedule, and are confused by choices. They can benefit from
being given choices and being gently pushed into working in pairs, then in small groups.
Some teachers have found that they can work relatively independently if the teacher initials
their work each day so they have reassurance that they are on track and can see their
progress. Students who need less structure like to discuss and argue, don't require teacher
rewards, are eager to go off and do things on their own, and cannot tolerate going
step- by-step. They may be initially self-centered and less concerned about others, but are
also imaginative and not afraid of making mistakes. They like to be allowed to select their
own seats, to choose from among several topics for an assignment, and to set their own
timetables on projects that take several class periods. They benefit from being trained and
reinforced in listening carefully to instructions, and to listen in general, since they have a
Chapter Five - 46
tendency to go off on their own. Hunt has found that over half of sixth grade students need
much structure (54%), while 31% need some structure and 15% little structure. In
contrast, in the sample of students he studied, 18% of ninth graders needed much
structure, 28% some, and 54% less structure.
Personality Type I ndicators
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), the Murphy-Meisgeier Type Indicator for
Children, and The Teacher Temperament Measure (discussed in Chapter 15) can be useful
to use with students. All of these scales assess both cognitive and affective style in terms of
sensing-intuiting, thinking-feeling, and extroversion- introversion, separating each on a
judgment- perception continuum. Of the four affective types identified, thinking-dominant
types are energized by logically organized material, and resent poor organization. If they
cannot find logical order in what is presented in class, they will place their energies
elsewhere. Feeling-dominant types begin a school year with two overriding questions: Does
the teacher care about me? And is this subject something I can give my heart to? A caring
relationship is very important to these students, and can carry them through many tasks in
which they lack interest. Sensing types may appreciate logical order and harmonious
relationships, but their motivation lies in the practical and functional. They ask: Can this
teacher show me something useful? They dislike gaps, abstractions, and facts and skills that
are supposedly good only for some future use. The final group, intuitive-dominants hate
routine, wants inspiration, and will daydream or move to off-task work in short order if they
are bored. When inspired, they are the most innovative of all groups.
Teachers who do not choose to use assessment instruments to diagnose affective
style can ask the following questions: Does the student have a positive orientation toward
learning? Is he or she persistent? Does he or she manifest a need for academic recognition
from the teacher and/or peers? Does the student fear failure and try to avoid it to a
reasonable degree? Is he or she curious? Conforming? Confident? Does he or she have
positive feelings of academic self-concept? As students understand their own learning
proclivities, and plan with teachers based on these tendencies, they will almost certainly be
more motivated to learn.
Physiological Dimensions
Physiological learning style elements relate to the student's response to the
environmental conditions in which learning occurs. The Learning Style Inventory (LSI) has
been one of the more popular broad-gauged assessment approaches. The LSI is designed to
Chapter Five - 47
assess how individuals in grades tinree tinrougin 12 prefer to learn. It includes 24 areas
derived from content and factor analysis: immediate environment (sound, temperature,
light, design), sociological needs (self-, peer-, authority-oriented and/or varied),
emotionality (motivation, persistence, responsibilities, need for structure), and physical
needs (perceptual modality preferences, time of day, food intake needs, and mobility).
There is also a Productivity Environmental Preference Survey (PEPS), which is a similar
instrument for adult learners.
Perrin created the Learning Style Inventory: Primary (LSI:P) in which kindergarten
through second grade children respond to pictures and questions that determine learning
style in terms of the environment, emotional tendencies, sociological needs, and physical
requirements. The LSI:P consists of 12 charts, each concerned with a specific style element,
a set of student profile forms, and directions for administration and scoring. The child is
shown one of the charts and told "The little boy in this picture likes to have his teacher show
him exactly what to do and when to do it. The little boy in the other picture likes to decide
for himself what to do and when to do it. I am going to ask you a few questions about how
you like to do your schoolwork." The child then responds to some questions related to the
picture chart (e.g.. Do you like to have your teacher check each page of your work as you
are working, or do you like her or him to check all of your work at the end of the day?), and
is asked to point to the picture that is most like her/himself. The LSI:P takes approximately
20 minutes to administer and is hand scored on a grid system.
Physical and environmental conditions have much more of an influence on students'
learning than many teachers and administrators like to admit. While we often consider these
to be reflections of learning preferences rather than factors, they can be either -- and it is
worth remembering that even the successful adaptation to a nonpreferred way of learning
takes some of the energy that might otherwise be devoted to the learning task. While there
are few formal assessment "tests" of students' physiological learning styles, they often lend
themselves to ready observation. Teachers should ask themselves: Is this student
performing up to the level of her/his capabilities? Is her/his health reasonably good? Is he
or she a morning or afternoon person? Can he or she function adequately during her/his
"down time?" Can the student sit still or does he or she fidget and want to wander around?
Does he or she seem to break pencil points more than average and have to get up to
sharpen the pencil? Does noise seem to bother him or her? What kind of lighting is
preferred, given a choice? Teachers sensitive to the physiological influences on learning can
provide a learning environment with options that allow students to choose where they will
work, particularly during independent reading and study time.
Chapter Five - 48
Matching, Bridging, and Style-Flexing
Once learning style has been assessed, what do we do with this knowledge? There
are three general approaches to accommodating differences in how individual students learn
most comfortably and efficiently. In this section, we will explain the philosophies behind
matching, bridging, and style-flexing.
Matching
In a matching approach, students are taught in their own preferred styles. They may
be "tracked," for example, into visual, auditory, and kinesthetic groups, and assigned to
classrooms that emphasize the respective styles in their instructional designs.
A matching approach can be logistically complex, and has been criticized for failing to
teach students how to accommodate their processing information in less- preferred styles.
Thus, it might be the most practical in training or special education settings, where the
emphasis is on either achieving the maximum skill in a minimal time, or when dealing with
high-risk students who have experienced a great deal of failure.
Matching has been shown to an effective means of improving academic success. For
example, Bruno and Jessie (1982) have written a book based on their successes in
developing hands-on activities for tactile/kinesthetic learners, while K. Dunn (1981) reports
on the success of matching learning and instructional styles through a contract- based
program at an alternative junior high school on New York's Lower East Side. Madison Prep
students were those who had displayed high levels of academic underachievement and/or
nonachievement, low reading and math scores, negative attitudes toward school, and a
rejection of the traditional classroom environment. Approximately 85 % of the students
substantially improved their reading and math levels, attendance averaged 80 % (among
students who had often been truant for weeks at a time at their previous schools), and
antisocial behavior was reduced. K. Dunn believes that these outcomes can be directly
attributed to style matchings reversing the students' failure syndromes and thus increasing
their motivation.
Bridging
When learning style information is used as a bridging technique, students are
assigned to classes without an attempt to match their learning styles, and teachers
generally teach in the ways in which they are most comfortable; however, style- based
materials are used when students have difficulty in grasping the material. For example.
Chapter Five - 49
Community Consolidated Scinool District 47 in Crystal Lake, Illinois has used the
Swassing-Barbe Modality Index to identify the perceptual strengths of elementary level
students throughout the district. Classes are not grouped according to style, but all
system-wide instructional materials have been classified by modality, level, and
subject/topic so that they can be used for "point of intervention" tutoring. This information
has been entered into learning center microcomputers, along with data on each student's
modality strengths. Thus, when a student is having difficulty with a concept -- let's say with
multiplying fractions -- the teacher, or the student, can go to the learning center and access
materials (purchased and teacher-developed) that will match the student's perceptual style.
In this way, the teacher (or students) might find supplementary worksheets, games, film
strips or videos, instructional computer programs or other resources related to multiplying
fractions that match that student's learning style.
The Fox Valley Technical Institute in Appleton, Wisconsin has also used a bridging
approach to enhance student learning and affect. All incoming students participate in
learning style assessment, with the results sent to both the students and their counselors.
Students are invited to discuss the results with a counselor on the Learning Evaluation staff,
and about 60 % of them do. By anticipating problems and providing students with
suggestions for adapting to various teaching techniques, dropout rates have decreased
more than 10 %. Fox Valley first experimented with offering each course in a classroom,
computer-assisted, and AV-tutorial formats, but subsequently adopted a "burst" approach in
which material is presented to class groups in an instructor's usual style, followed by an
opportunity for students to "burst" into style-matched subgroups in which problematic
concepts are clarified.
Style-Flexing
Style flexing is a process of teaching students to learn how to learn. Lessons are
structured so individual students' learning styles are both accommodated and challenged,
with a goal of increasing their confidence with learning in a variety of ways. McCarthy is one
of the primary proponents of this approach. The 4Mat system (McCarthy, 1981) advocates
lesson planning so that each learner's style is matched at one point and "stretched" at
others. Lessons begin with creating a desire to learn through brainstorming, listening,
speaking, and interacting, skills at which Type 1 innovative learners excel. They then move
from reflective observation to abstract conceptualization through observing, analyzing,
classifying, and drawing conclusions -- skills at which Type 2 analytic learners excel.
Students are next invited to "mess around" with concepts, using the experiential, hands-on
Chapter Five - 50
approach that Type 3 common sense learners prefer. The final phase of the lesson involves
application, sharing projects or teaching concepts to other students, skills at which Type 4
dynamic learners excel.
In practice, a unit on speech introductions might begin with students reading or
listening to speeches with and without effective introductions and discussing their reactions.
The class might then break into discussion groups to analyze their impressions of the
purpose of a speech introduction (Type 1). The instructor would then teach the concept,
explaining the objectives of and techniques for gaining attention and previewing the
direction of a speech as they are detailed in any public speaking text (Type 2). Students
could then, on their own or in groups, formulate three or four different introductions for the
same speech, decide which they like best, and explain why (Type 3). They might later be
asked to prepare an outline for a speech they will give and write two or three possible
introductions on a separate page. Dyads could then exchange outlines, clarify the speech
content if needed, and write two or three introductions for the partner's topic. Students
would then discuss the similarities and differences between speaker-generated and
partner-generated introductions and pick the one they like best (Type 4).
Or, a high school mathematics unit could begin with setting up a lottery, similar to
the draft lottery, in which students are assigned a rank according to the number picked at
the same time as their birth date is drawn. The teacher can decide a relevant context in
which to set the simulation, whether it is the assignment of desirable concert seats, who
gets priority in scheduling classes, an actual draft lottery, or something else. The class
would then discuss whether this is "fair" or not, and the teacher would explain how the
lottery is an example of random function (Type 1). Students would then be taught concepts
such as domain, range, Cartesian product and graphing, relation, rules of correspondence,
notation, and so forth (Type 2). They could then complete graphing exercises and/or solve
problems related to the lottery simulation, as well as make up their own rules of
correspondence from which they must generate five ordered pairs (Type 3). Finally,
students would be given the option of choosing among various applied projects, such as
analyzing statistics of accidents to see if there is any relationship between accidents and the
ages of the people who have them, or completing and analyzing the results of a survey of
possible relationships between grades and the number of hours students work outside of
school, sleep and watch TV (Type 4).
Instructional planning of this type is likely to appeal to visual, auditory, and
manipulative learners at various points, as well as accommodating the various combinations
of concrete vs. abstract and active vs. reflective orientations. The redundancy is
Chapter Five - 51
instructionally sound; the instructor may "cover" fewer topics, but a greater percentage of
students will understand those that are presented. They will, in the process, learn how to
learn in ways other than their preferred style.
Whether schools, or individual teachers, choose matching, bridging, or style-flexing
approaches depends on whether they perceive the primary objective as changing the
educational delivery system to adapt to the individual learner or whether they wish to also
change the learner to be able to better adapt to the existing educational delivery system.
References and Recommended Readings
Barbe, W.B. & Swassing, R.H. (1979). The Swassing-Barbe modality index. Columbus, OH:
Zaner-Bloser.
Barbe, W.B., Swassing, R.H. & Milone, M.N., Jr. (1979). Teacliing tlirougli modality
strengths: Concepts and practices. Columbus, OH: Zaner-Bloser.
Bruno, A. & Jessie, K. (1982). Hands-on activities for student's writing: Innovative learning
style resources. Englewood Cliffs, NJ : Prentice-Hall.
Dunn, K. (1981). Madison prep: Alternative to teenage disaster. Educational Leadership, 38.
386-387.
Dunn, R. & Carbo, M. (1979). The reading gamble: How to improve the odds for every
youngster. Learning, 8, 34-43.
Dunn, R. & Dunn, K. (1975). Educator's self-teaching guide to individualizing instructional
programs. West Nyack, NY: Parker Publishing.
Dunn, R. & Dunn, K. (1978). Teaching students through their individual learning styles: A
practical approach. Reston, VA: Reston Publishing Co.
Dunn, R. & Dunn, K. (1979). Learning styles/teaching styles: Should they? -- can they? --
be matched? Educational Leadership, 36, 238-244.
Dunn, R., Dunn, K. & Price, G.E. (1975). Learning style inventory. Lawrence, KS: Price
Systems.
Dunn, R., Dunn, K. & Price, G.E. (1978). Learning style inventory. Lawrence, KS: Price
Systems.
Dunn, R., Dunn, K. & Price, G.E. (1979). Productivity environmental preference scale.
Lawrence, KS: Price Systems.
Dunn, R., Dunn, K. & Price, G.E. (1981). Learning style inventory manual. Lawrence, KS:
Price Systems.
Fleming, N. (2001). Teaching and learning styles. Christchurch, New Zealand: Author.
Chapter Five - 52
Fleming, N., & Baume, D. (2006). Learning styles again: VARKing up the right tree!
Educational Developments, 7.4, 4-7.
Fleming, N. D., & Mills, C. (1992). Not another inventory, rather a catalyst for reflection. To
Improve the Academy, 11, 137-155.
Gorham, J. (1986). Assessment, classification and implications of learning styles in
instructional interactions. Communication Education, 35, 411-417.
Gorham, J. (1990). Individual differences in classroom dynamics. In J .A. Daly, G.W.
Friedrich & A.L Vangelisti (Eds.), Teaching communication: Theory, research and
methods, (pp. 207-221). Hillsdale, NJ : Lawrence Eribaum.
Gorham, J. & Self, L. (1987). Developing communication skills: Learning style and the
educationally disadvantaged student. Communication Research Reports, 4, 38-46.
Hunt, D.E. (1976). Teachers' adaptation: Reading and flexing to students. Journal of
Teacher Education, 27, 268-275.
Hunt, D.E. (1980). How to be your own best theorist. Theory into Practice, 19, 287-293.
Hunt, D.E., Butler, L.F., Noy, J.E. & Rosser, M.E. (1978). Assessing conceptual level by the
paragraph completion method. Toronto: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.
Kagan, J . (1966). Reflection-impulsivity: The generality and dynamics of conceptual tempo.
Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 71, 17-24.
Kagan, J., Pearson, L. & Welch, L. (1966). The modifiability of an impulsive tempo, yourna/
of Educational Psychology, 57, 359-365.
Kagan, J. & Wright, J. (1963). Basic cognitive processes in children. Lafayette, IN: Child
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Meisgeier, C, Murphy, E. & Meisgeier, C. (1989). A teacher's guide to type. Palo Alto, CA:
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right "brained" students learn differently? The Roeper Review, 36-39.
Chapter Five - 54
CLASSROOM ANXI ETI ES AND FEARS
Chapter Six Objectives
1. Define communication appreinension, receiver appreinension, writing appreinension,
teaciner appreinension, evaluation appreinension, and classroom anxiety and be able
to give classroom examples of each.
2. List and discuss potential causes of student anxiety.
3. Provide communication strategies for reducing classroom anxiety.
As teachers, many of us have had to work with students who have suffered from
anxiety in the classroom. During Jason's first semester teaching, he had a student who
ended up in the hospital because of her anxiety. The student was preparing for her first
speech in a public speaking class. As she was preparing the speech, she grew more and
more anxious and finally had a panic attack and stopped breathing. If her husband had not
been with her and rushed her to the hospital, it is very likely that she may have died. The
doctors eventually had to medicate her, so that she could give her speeches in the class.
While this is an extreme example of anxiety in the classroom, it does demonstrate the
devastating impact that anxiety can actually have on students.
All of us suffer from anxiety at some point in our life. Most anxiety is caused by
negative self-thoughts. According to Lucinda Bassett of the Midwest Center for Stress and
Anxiety, an average person has around 300 negative self-thoughts a day - that's one every
4.5 minutes. These negative thoughts can create an anxious state. A negative self-thought
is any thought that prevents us or cripples us from achieving our best. If a student who is
studying for a test starts to think that he or she can't do well on the test, that thought can
become so overwhelming that it leads to an anxious episode or panic attack.
Many students don't learn when they are fearful, anxious, apprehensive, or scared.
Students don't communicate effectively with us when they are fearful, anxious,
apprehensive, or scared to communicate with us. Students don't complete tests well when
they are fearful, anxious, apprehensive, or scared of testing situations. Simply put, students
don't do well in the classroom environment when they are fearful, anxious, apprehensive, or
scared.
Some pressure to do well, of course, can be good for students. When we were
students, we used to "psyche ourselves up" to a certain degree for an exam or a
presentation in class so we could perform at our highest level. But many students psyche
Chapter Six - 55
themselves up so far they cannot perform at all, or only at a totally inadequate level. For
decades researchers have attempted to determine the "right amount of pressure" to apply
to students so they can learn the maximum amount. No one has found the answer to the
amount of pressure to apply to students for peak performance. However, we do know that
too much pressure on students to perform, to do well, to succeed, can backfire. The
students stop performing and exhibit learned helplessness.
This chapter is concerned with the anxieties and fears that students often confront in
their classrooms. We will review each anxiety or fear and its impact on student
performance, learning, and communication. Lastly, we will discuss communication strategies
for reducing general classroom anxiety.
Communication Apprehension
Communication apprehension (CA) is the fear or anxiety associated with either real
or anticipated communication with another person or persons (Richmond & McCroskey,
1998). By far, the largest group of quiet students are those who are communication
apprehensive. Students who are high communication apprehensives may desire to
communicate with their peers and teachers, but are impeded by their fear or anxiety about
communication.
It has been estimated that 20% of the student population in a school may suffer
from communication apprehension. Communication apprehensive students tend to be low
verbalizers and often only speak when forced to do so. If a student fears something, it is
natural to avoid it or withdraw from it, and this is precisely what the communication
apprehensive student does. Communication apprehension is a cognitive state that is
centered around the fear of communicating with others.
The student who is highly communicatively apprehensive (scared to talk, quiet)
tends to suffer from general anxiety, has a low tolerance for ambiguity, lacks self-control, is
not adventurous, lacks emotional maturity, is introverted, has low self-esteem, is not
innovative, has a low tolerance for disagreement, and is unassertive. On the other hand, the
student who has a low level of communication apprehension (likes to talk, usually outgoing)
tends to have low general anxiety, tolerates ambiguous situations, has a high degree of
self-control, is adventurous, is emotionally mature, is extroverted, has high self-esteem, is
innovative, is able to tolerate relatively high levels of disagreement, and is assertive.
In the classroom environment, communication apprehension can cause a student
who is quiet to be perceived in a less positive way than the student who is outgoing. The
students who are quiet in the classroom are perceived to be less competent, less intelligent.
Chapter Six - 56
less likely to get into trouble, less likely to do well in school, less likely to be called upon to
respond. They tend to have less opportunities to correct learning mistakes, receive less
attention from the teacher, receive less reinforcement when they do something well, ask for
assistance less frequently, volunteer to participate less, and receive lower grades on class
participation reports. In a very real sense, this group of students is discriminated against in
the school environment. Consequently, by the time they complete high school, their
learning, as measured by standardized achievement tests, is impacted negatively. In
addition, the high communication apprehensive's peer groups often see her or him as less
approachable, less friendly, less talkative, less outgoing, less pleasant, and less intelligent
than the low communication apprehensive student.
In summary, the school environment requires effective communication on the part of
the teachers and students. Quiet students tend to fare less well in the school environment
than talkative students. More extensive treatments of communication apprehension are
available in other books in this series (McCroskey, 1998; Richmond, McCroskey, 1998) so
we will not elaborate more here. Suffice it to say, communication apprehension is a very
serious problem in the classroom.
Personal Report of Communication Apprehension-24 (PRCA-24)
DIRECTIONS: This instrument is composed of twenty-four statements concerning feelings
about communicating with other people. Please indicate the degree to which each
statement applies to you by marking whether you:
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
1
2
3
4
5
Work quickly; record your first impression.
1. I dislike participating in group discussions.
2. Generally, I am comfortable while participating in group discussions.
3. I am tense and nervous while participating in group discussions.
4. I like to get involved in group discussions.
5. Engaging in a group discussion with new people makes me tense and nervous.
6. I am calm and relaxed while participating in group discussions.
7. Generally, I am nervous when I have to participate in a meeting.
8. Usually I am calm and relaxed while participating in meetings.
9. I am very calm and relaxed when I am called upon to express an opinion at a
meeting.
10. I am afraid to express myself at meetings.
11. Communicating at meetings usually makes me uncomfortable.
12. I am very relaxed when answering questions at a meeting.
13. While participating in a conversation with a new acquaintance, I feel very
nervous.
14. I have no fear of speaking up in conversations.
Chapter Six - 57
15. Ordinarily I am very tense and nervous in conversations.
16. Winile conversing witin a new acquaintance, I feel very relaxed.
17. Ordinarily I am very calm and relaxed in conversations.
18. I'm afraid to speak up in conversations.
19. I have no fear of giving a speech.
20. Certain parts of my body feel very tense and rigid while I am giving a speech.
21. I feel relaxed while giving a speech.
22. My thoughts become confused and jumbled when I am giving a speech.
23. I face the prospect of giving a speech with confidence.
24. While giving a speech, I get so nervous I forget facts I really know.
Computing Score for PRCA-24
SCORING: To compute context subscores begin with a score of 18 for each context and
follow the instructions below.
1. Group discussion--add scores for items 2, 4, & 6. Subtract scores for items 1, 3,
& 5. Scores can range from 6 to 30.
2. Meetings--add scores for items 8, 9, & 12. Subtract scores for items 7, 10, &
11. Scores can range from 6 to 30.
3. I nterpersonal--add scores for items 14, 16, & 17. Subtract scores for items 13,
15, & 18. Scores can range from 6 to 30.
4. Public speaking--add scores for items 19, 21, & 23. Subtract scores for items
20, 22, & 24. Scores can range from 6 to 30.
To compute the total score for the PRCA-24, add the four subscores. Total scores can
range from 24 to 120. Scores above 80 = high CA; below 50 = low CA.
Source:
McCroskey, J . C. (1982). An introduction to rlietorical communication (4**^ Ed). Englewood
Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Figure 7.1 Personal Report of Communication Apprehension-24 (PRCA-24)
Norms for the PRCA-24
Mean
Standard Deviation
For Total Score
Group
Meeting
Dyad (Interpersonal)
Public
65.6
15.4
16.4
14.5
19.3
15.3
4.8
4.8
4.2
5.1
Chapter Six - 58
Receiver Apprehension
Wheeless (1975) developed the original measure of receiver apprehension. Scott and
Wheeless (1977) defined receiver apprehension as "the degree to which individuals are
fearful about misinterpreting, inadequately processing, and/or being unable to adjust
psychologically to messages" (p. 248). Receiver apprehension refers to how people feel
about receiving communication or information from others. It seems some people are
generally apprehensive about receiving information and communication from others.
However, people are usually not as apprehensive about receiving information (being
receivers) as they are about being a communication source.
Wheeless and Scott found that students who were highly apprehensive about
receiving information performed less well than students who were not apprehensive about
receiving information. They found that students who were highly apprehensive about
receiving information did poorly on objective measures of achievement and on outside class
projects. They concluded that "receiver apprehension and student achievement . . . appear
to be meaningfully related" (Scott & Wheeless, 1977, p. 249).
Writing apprehension
Writing apprehension is the fear or anxiety associated with writing situations (Daly &
Miller, 1975). Students with extremely high writing apprehension are troubled with many
kinds or types of writing and are likely to avoid it in most situations, even the classroom.
Students who are fearful or afraid of writing situations do less well academically in school,
achieve less, and avoid fields and careers that require a lot of writing. In addition, these
students may be viewed by teachers and peers as the slow or uninterested students and
their communication with others in the school environment may be affected in a negative
manner. If the student is communication apprehensive and writing apprehensive, he or she
will have difficulty both in oral and written communication classroom situations.
Teacher Apprehension
As suggested previously, there are many fears or anxieties students face in the
classroom which can keep them from learning. It is not surprising, therefore, to note some
students tend to have problems receiving communication from their teachers and/or talking
with their teachers. Students who are fearful or anxious about receiving communication
from their teacher and/or talking with their teacher may have "teacher apprehension (TA)."
See Figures 7.2 and 7.3 for the two Teacher Apprehension Tests (TAT) which can be
administered to your students.
Chapter Six - 59
Teacher Apprehension Test
Directions: Tinis form is composed of statements students inave used to describe inow tiney
feel about receiving communication from tineir teaciner after eacin statement, indicate tine
number tinat best describes \r\ov\i you generally feel about receiving communication from
your teacher. There are no right or wrong answers. Work quickly and circle your first
impression. Please indicate the degree to which each statement applies to you by marking
whether you:
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
1
2
3
4
5
1. I feel uncomfortable receiving communication from my teacher.
2. I feel disturbed when my teacher communicates with me.
3. I have no fear when my teacher communicates with me.
4. I am comfortable when my teacher communicates with me.
5. I feel uneasy when my teacher talks to me.
6. I feel relaxed when listening to my teacher.
7. I feel fearful when my teacher talks.
8. I feel ruffled when my teacher talks to me.
9. I am jumpy when my teacher talks.
10.
"ll.
"l2.
"l3.
"l4.
"l5.
"l6.
"l7.
"l8.
"l9.
20.
feel composed when listening to my teacher.
am bothered when my teacher talks.
feel satisfied when my teacher is talking and teaching.
feel safe when my teacher communicates.
feel nervous when listening to my teacher.
am cheerful when my teacher is talking.
feel happy when my teacher is communicating ideas to the class.
feel dejected or hurt when my teacher is communicating.
feel pleasure when my teacher talks to me.
feel good when my instructor is teaching a lesson to us.
feel happy when he or she is talking to us.
SCORING: To compute your scores, add your scores for each item as indicated below:
Step One: Add scores for items 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14, 17, & 20
Step Two: Add scores for items 3, 4, 6, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, & 19
Step Three: Add 60 points to Step.
Step Four: Subtract the score for Step two from the score for Step Three.
After you have recoded the previous questions, add all of the numbers together to get your
composite Teacher Apprehension score.
Score should be between 20 and 100. Scores of 80 and above indicate high teacher
apprehension; Scores of 25 and below indicate low teacher apprehension; Scores between
26 and 79 indicate moderate teacher apprehension.
Chapter Six - 60
Figure 7.2 Teacher Apprehension Test (Tat) (For Grades 6 + )
Directions : This form is designed for use with students in
grades 5 and under. It is intended to measure how your
students feel about receiving communication from you or
communicating with you. Have each student circle one face as
an indicant of how they feel when you are communicating with,
or talking with, them.
Like
A Lot
Figure 7.3 Teacher Apprehension Test (Tat) (For Grades 5 and Under)
Students who have teacher apprehension are generally apprehensive about relating
to teachers in the school environment. These are the students who will show visible distress
or signs of apprehension when being approached by or communicated with by any teacher.
Occasionally, a student may have a fear of communicating with just one teacher (e.
g. situational apprehension about communicating with the toughest teacher in school). This
is a perfectly normal reaction. Almost everyone can recount a time when they were afraid of
one teacher, but that was not the same for being afraid of all teachers.
However, the students who have a general anxiety or fear about receiving
communication from teachers or talking with teachers are clearly at a disadvantage in the
educational system. The one person who can help them succeed is the one person they fear
the most.
No one is quite sure why some students develop teacher apprehension and others
don't. What we do know is that teacher apprehension can have far reaching impacts on
student academic performance and communication. For example, students with teacher
apprehension are often perceived by their instructors as unapproachable, unfriendly,
unpleasant, and uninterested. While the student may or may not feel this way, the
perception the teacher has is how the teacher sees the student. As you might have guessed,
the student who is perceived in a negative light is less likely to receive communication,
assistance, and guidance from the teacher. If a student does receive such attention.
Chapter Six - 61
however, they still are less likely to do well on assignments and projects than those
students who are not afraid of the teacher.
In summary, students who have teacher apprehension are less likely to seek
instructor assistance, are less likely to be willing to listen to the teacher, are less likely to
approach the teacher, are more likely to avoid the teacher, are less likely to initiate
communication with the teacher, are more likely to avoid communication with the teacher,
and are more likely to be dissatisfied with the classroom environment. This does not mean
that high teacher apprehensives will fail in all they attempt in the educational environment,
but it suggests they will not be as successful in school as their low apprehensive
counterparts.
Evaluation Apprehension
Evaluation apprehension (EA) is the fear or anxiety associated with either real or
anticipated evaluative situations in the classroom. In this section we will focus primarily on
evaluation apprehension during test or exam times. Most students indicate this evaluation
component is when they feel the most fear or anxiety. About 20 % of our students have an
abnormal fear or anxiety about test or exam situations in the classroom. These students
have high evaluation apprehension. While some students can get their apprehension about
taking tests under control, students with evaluation apprehension have anxiety that
increases dramatically before, during, and after a test or exam. See Figures 7.3 and 7.4 for
the two Evaluation Apprehension Measures (EAM), which can be administered to your
students. Below is a discussion of the effects and outcomes of being afraid or fearful
before, during, and after exams.
Evaluation Apprehension {Pleasure
Directions: This form is composed of statements students have used to describe how they
feel in evaluation/ examination/test- like situations in their class. After each statement,
indicate the number that best describes how you generally feel about taking a test or exam
or being in an evaluative situation. There are no right or wrong answers. Work quickly and
circle your first impression. Please indicate the degree to which each statement applies to
you by marking whether you:
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
1
2
3
4
5
1. I feel apprehensive while preparing for a test.
2. I feel tense when I am studying for a test or exam.
3. I am calm when I am studying for a test.
4. I feel peaceful when I am studying for a test.
5. I feel fear and uneasiness when taking an exam or being evaluated.
6. I feel self-assured when taking an exam.
7. I feel fearful when preparing for a test.
Chapter Six - 62
8. I feel ruffled when the test is handed to me.
9. I am jumpy and nervous while taking a test.
10. I feel composed and in control while taking an exam.
11. I am bothered and tense when I am being evaluated.
12. I feel satisfied when my exam is completed.
13. I feel safe during evaluative situations.
14. I feel flustered and confused when I start a test.
15. I am cheerful after I turn in my test.
16. I feel happy about how I did in evaluation situations.
17. I feel dejected and humiliated an hour before an exam.
18. I feel pleased and comfortable while taking a test.
19. I feel confident while taking a test.
20. I feel unhappy throughout an exam period.
SCORING: To compute your scores, add your scores for each item as indicated below:
Step One: Add scores for items 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14, 17, & 20
Step Two: Add scores for items 3, 4, 6, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, & 19
Step Three: Add 60 points to Step.
Step Four: Subtract the score for Step two from the score for Step Three.
After you have recoded the previous questions, add all of the numbers together to get your
composite EAM score. Your score should be between 20 and 100. Scores of 80 and above
indicate high test or evaluation apprehension; Scores of 25 and below indicate low test or
evaluation apprehension; Scores between 26 and 79 indicate moderate test or evaluation
apprehension.
Figure 7.4 Evaluation Apprehension {Pleasure (EAI^l) (For Grades 6 + )
Students with apprehension about taking tests or exams often do poorly in formal
test situations. Their anxiety gets so high it overrides the ability to process and recall
information that is needed to do well on a test. Students with high EA often block on
information they knew well before the test time.
Directions: This form is designed for use with students in
grades 5 and under. It is intended to measure how your
students feel about tests, exams, and evaluative situations.
Have each student circle one face as an indicant of how they
feel when you are communicating with, or talking with, them.
Dislike
A Lot
Chapter Six - 63
Figure 7.5 Evaluation Apprehension {Pleasure (For Grades 5 and Under)
In addition, if exams and tests are tine only evaluation tools a teacher has available
to her or him in order to judge a student, they often receive the lower, less acceptable
grades or scores. Before, during, and after a test, their systems are over activated and their
anxiety is so high they simply do not function well. They may become physically ill before,
during, or after an exam. They may not be able to talk with you about their feelings before,
during, or after an exam.
In conclusion, students with high evaluation apprehension will have high anxiety
before, during, and after exams. In extreme cases, the students with evaluation
apprehension may miss class the day an exam is scheduled. They simply cannot face
another formal testing situation. They may also be perceived by their teachers as
unintelligent, slow, uninterested, and uneducated, when in fact, they know as much as the
other students, they simply cannot recall it at test time.
Classroom Anxiety
While many of the fears or anxieties discussed above are debilitating to student
performance, classroom anxiety can totally deter a student from succeeding in the
classroom. Classroom anxiety is the anxiety associated with the classroom environment. It
is often referred to as "school phobia." Students with classroom anxiety are fearful, uneasy,
insecure, and unhappy about the classroom situation. They are not at ease, calm, peaceful,
and don't feel safe in the classroom. Their fear is so overwhelming and stifling that they are
barely functional while they are in a classroom setting. See Figures 7.6 and 7.7 for the two
measures of classroom anxiety that you can administer to your class at different times.
Classroom Anxiety Measure
Directions: This form is composed of statements students have used to describe how they
feel in their classroom. After each statement, indicate the number that best describes how
you generally feel while attending class. There are no right or wrong answers. Work quickly
and circle your first impression. Please indicate the degree to which each statement applies
to you by marking whether you:
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
1
2
3
4
5
1. I feel apprehensive.
2. I feel disturbed.
3. I am peaceful.
11. I am insecure.
12. I feel satisfied.
13. I feel safe.
Chapter Six - 64
4.
"5.
"6.
"7.
"8.
"9.
feel relaxed,
feel uneasy,
feel self-assured,
feel fearful,
feel ruffled,
am jumpy.
10. I feel composed.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
feel flustered,
am cheerful,
feel happy,
feel dejected,
feel pleased,
feel good,
feel unhappy.
SCORING: To compute your scores, add your scores for each item as indicated below:
Step One: Add scores for items 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14, 17, & 20
Step Two: Add scores for items 3, 4, 6, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, & 19
Step Three: Add 60 points to Step.
Step Four: Subtract the score for Step two from the score for Step Three.
After you have recoded the previous questions, add all of the numbers together to get your
composite Classroom Anxiety score.
Score should be between 20 and 100. Scores of 80 and above indicate high classroom
anxiety; Scores of 25 and below indicate low classroom anxiety; Scores between 26 and 79
indicate moderate classroom anxiety.
Figure 7.6 Classroom Anxiety {Pleasure (CAJVI) (For Grades 6 + )
Children with classroom anxiety are often "basket cases." They do not
voluntarily communicate with us, they do not ask for assistance, they do not answer
questions, they do not participate in class discussions, they do not understand or hear
questions, they do not perform well on tests, and they do not make friends easily. Their
anxiety about school and their classroom is so high that it interferes with everything. Since
classroom anxiety permeates all requirements we have of our students, below we have
discussed probable causes of student/classroom anxiety and communication strategies for
reducing classroom anxiety.
Chapter Six - 65
Directions : This form is designed for use with students in
grades 5 and under. It is intended to measure how your
students feel while attending class. Have each student
circle one face as an indicant of how they feel when you are
communicating with, or talking with, them.
Like
A Lot
Dislike
A Lot
Figure 7.7 Classroom Anxiety {Pleasure (For Grades 5 And Under)
Probable Causes of Classroom Anxiety
Students can develop classroom anxiety only if a number of the variables discussed
below are present. Usually, a student does not become anxious because of one bad
situation; however, if the situation is traumatic enough they may become anxious about
school.
Students might suffer some degree of classroom anxiety if our objectives, goals, and
intentions are too ambiguous, unclear, or disorganized. All students need clear objectives,
goals, and intentions in order to perform; otherwise, they feel insecure about assignments
and projects.
Students might suffer some degree of classroom anxiety if they have only failed in
school, never succeeded. The past history of the student, past reinforcements, and past
failures can all contribute to a student feeling apprehension about the classroom situation.
For example, if a student failed English three times by the time they take it a fourth time,
they are anxious, insecure, and apprehensive.
Students might suffer some degree of classroom anxiety if they are apprehensive
about other things in the classroom such as testing, evaluation, communication, the
teacher, or writing. If a student is generally anxious about a number of the classroom
related activities, then he or she may become more anxious about the general classroom
situation.
Students might suffer some degree of classroom anxiety if they experience unusual
parental pressure to succeed. Many parents make classroom and school success the primary
Chapter Six - 66
concern of their child. They impress upon the child that if they don't do well in school, they
cannot succeed in other endeavors. Since so much is riding upon classroom success, the
child becomes anxious about classroom success.
Students might suffer some degree of classroom anxiety if the classroom
expectations and standards are set too high. Often we will establish expectations and
standards that seem reasonable to us but are unreasonable for the students. We don't
intentionally establish expectations and standards that are too high for our students to
meet, it just happens because they seem easier to us than they do to the students.
Students will suffer from classroom anxiety if the teacher uses extreme criticism or
negative communication. Students don't succeed or achieve much when most of the
teacher's communication is extreme criticism, negative, or humiliating in nature. Students
will often withdraw from or avoid the classroom where the teacher's feedback and
communication are of a negative type. When students avoid or withdraw from a classroom,
they are not learning the content either. Hence, we need to avoid the use of extreme
criticism, negative, or humiliating communication as an instructional practice.
Any or all of the above factors lead to reduced teacher/student affect, reduced
teacher/student communication, and heightened classroom anxiety. The learning of content
is also negatively impacted by students' anxieties and fears.
Communication Strategies For Reducing Classroom Anxiety
There are a number of very effective communication strategies which can reduce
classroom anxiety. Many of these strategies will also assist the students in acquiring the
content. When our students' classroom anxiety level is low they are more capable and able
to concentrate, process information, and recall information.
FUN, FUN, FUN. We should facilitate enjoyment in our classrooms. Learning must be
made to be an enjoyable process. We attempt to lessen classroom anxiety by attempting to
get our students to enjoy learning by exchanging fun ideas, telling interesting stories that
relate to content, telling appropriate, funny jokes, saying funny things, and generally
attempting to make the classroom an environment where learning is fun.
POSITIVE, POSITIVE, POSITIVE. Our communication with our students should be as
positive and as reinforcing as possible. We should avoid the use of negative criticism and
apply the use of reinforcing statements, praise, and reward. However, let's keep in mind,
there is nothing harmful about informing students that they are wrong, incorrect, out of
line, or need guidance. In fact, it is our duty to give directions and academic guidance
without harming a student. Students of all ages and levels perform better and learn more
Chapter Six - 67
when the classroom environment is one in which they are praised, not admonished for their
efforts.
SIIVIILARITY, SIIVIILARITY, SIIV1II_ARITY. We can reduce classroom anxiety by
communicating about our similarities and likenesses to our students. This does not mean we
become one of our students. However, if we can build some similarity, then communication
will be more effective, and as communication becomes more effective, our similarities will
increase. We should avoid being perceived as too different or too dissimilar from our
students. High levels of dissimilarity will make students apprehensive because they don't
know what or how to communicate with us.
INPUT, INPUT, INPUT. On some assignments, projects, or issues, we could negotiate
and compromise with our students instead of always assuming control. Often in our own
classrooms we can discuss some procedures or issues with our students and come to some
common agreement about the range of acceptable or unacceptable solutions. Allowing
students to have input on some classroom issues may reduce the likelihood of classroom
anxiety emerging.
SOLIDARITY, SOLIDARITY, SOLIDARITY. We should build affinity and solidarity
between ourselves and our students. As affinity and solidarity increase so does effective
teacher/student communication. As affinity and solidarity increase, classroom apprehension
will decrease. When affinity and solidarity are present, the students know they can
communicate honestly with us without fear of reprisals, reproaches or reprimands.
FEEDBACK, FEEDBACK, FEEDBACK. We should acknowledge and use student ideas
and suggestions in our teaching and delivery of content. According to Flanders (1970) when
we use students' ideas, we are showing that we accept our students. Flanders suggests this
type of feedback can be divided into the following for effective use:
Acknowledging the pupil's idea by repeating the nouns and logical contentions
he or she has expressed; Modifying, rephrasing, or conceptualizing it in the
teacher's own words; Applying the idea by using it to reach an inference or to
take the next step in a logical analysis of a problem; Comparing the ideas by
drawing a relationship between the pupil's idea and one expressed earlier by
either a pupil or a teacher. Summarizing what was said by a pupil or a group
of pupils, (p. 48).
CLARITY, CLARITY, CLARITY. As the content becomes more complex, confusing, or
ambiguous, we need to become more clear and concise. Brophy and Evertson (1976)
Chapter Six - 68
suggest that communication clarity and student acinievement are related. They stated that,
"in general, it seems reasonable to suppose that teacher clarity becomes increasingly
important as the curriculum becomes more complex" (p. 82). If we increase our clarity as a
curriculum or lesson becomes more difficult for our students to understand, then classroom
anxiety should be reduced. Communicating optimal testing conditions can consistently and
considerably improve and positively impact the performance of the highly anxious student.
CLIMATE, CLIMATE, CLIMATE. A supportive classroom communication climate will
reduce the likelihood that classroom anxiety will emerge. Hurt, Scott, and McCroskey (1978)
lend support to this idea by stating:
It is crucial, then, that teachers communicate with their students as
supportively as possible -- regardless of whether their students are
performing at a standard that is less than ideal. By the same token, it is
crucial that teachers attempt to create an environment where students also
engage in these behaviors, supporting their classmates or communicating
their criticisms in a supportive manner, (p. 186)
Conclusion
By employing many of the above communication strategies we can reduce the
likelihood our students will suffer from classroom anxiety. If we can communicate effectively
with our students, we have already taken a step in reducing or preventing classroom fears
and anxieties.
References and Recommended Readings
Bassett, L. (2000). Attacking anxiety and depression: A self-tielp, self- awareness program
for stress, anxiety and depression. Oak Harbor, OH: Midwest Center for Stress and
Anxiety.
Bourhis, J., Allen, M., & Bauman, I. (2006). Communication apprehension: Issues to
consider in the classroom. In B. M. Gayle, R. W. Preiss, N. Burrell, & M. Allen (Eds.),
Classroom communication and instructional processes: Advances through meta-
analysis (pp. 211-227). Mahwah, NJ : Lawrence Eribaum.
Brophy, J. E., & Evertson, C. M. (1976). Learning from teaching: A developmental
perspective. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Daly, J . A., & Miller, M. D. (1975). The empirical development of an instrument to measure
writing apprehension. Research in the Teaching of English, 9, 242-249.
Chapter Six - 69
Flanders, N. A. (1970). Analyzing teacher behavior. Reading, MA: Addison Wesley.
Hill, K. (1980). Motivation, evaluation, and educational testing policy. In L. J . Fyans (Eds.),
Achievement motivation: Recent trends in theory and research, (pp. 34-95). New
York: Plenum Press.
Hill, K. (1984). Debilitating motivation and testing: A major educational problem, possible
solutions, and policy applications. In R. Ames and C. Ames (Eds.), Research on
motivation in education, Vol. 1: Student motivation, (pp. 245-272). New York:
Academic Press.
Hurt, H. T., Scott, M. D., & McCroskey, J. C. (1978). Communication in the classroom.
Reading, MA: Addison Wesley.
McCroskey, J . C. (1998). An introduction to communication in the classroom (2"^ Ed.).
Acton, MA: Tapestry Press.
McCroskey, J. C, & Richmond, V. P. (1991). Quiet children and the classroom teacher.
Bloomington, IN: ERIC and Annandale, VA: SCA.
McCroskey, J. C, Richmond, V. P., & McCroskey, L. L. (2006). An introduction to
communication in the classroom: The role of communication in teaching and training.
Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Richmond, V. P., & McCroskey, J. C. (1998). Communication: Apprehension, avoidance, and
effectiveness. (5th Ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Scott, M. D., & Wheeless, L. R. (1977). The relationship of three types of communication
apprehension to classroom achievement. The Southern Speech Communication
Journal, 42, 246-255.
Spielberger, C. D. (1966). Anxiety and behavior. New York: Academic Press.
Stipek, D. J. (1993). Motivation to learn: From theory to practice. (2nd. Ed.). Boston: Allyn
and Bacon.
Wheeless, L. R. (1975). An investigation of receiver apprehension and social context
dimensions of communication apprehension. Speech Teacher, 24, 261-268.
Wheeless, L. R., & Scott, M. D. (1976). The nature, measurement, and potential effects of
receiver apprehension. Paper presented at the International Communication
Association Convention, Portland, Oregon.
Wrench, J. S., McCroskey, J. C, & Richmond, V. P. (2008). Human communication in
everyday life: Explanations and applications. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Chapter Six - 70
COMMUNI CATI ON AND
STUDENT SELF-CONCEPT
Chapter Seven Objectives
1. Define self-concept.
2. Review tine cinaracteristics of self. Identify why these make it difficult to change self-
concept.
3. Discuss the three dimensions of self-concept. Give examples of each dimension.
4. List and discuss the ways in which self-concept develops.
5. Discuss the six conditions necessary for positive self-concept. How can teachers help
instill these in students?
6. Describe the influence of student self-concept upon academic achievement.
7. Distinguish between children with negative self-concepts and children with positive
self-concepts. Be able to generate and explain the 2x2 Model of Self-concept/IQ and
Ability.
8. Delineate the "Poker Chip" theory of self-concept. Relate it to the classroom
environment.
9. List and discuss communication strategies for enhancing students' self-concept.
Many of our children spend seven or eight hours a day for 180 to 200 days a year in
the school environment. By the time our children graduate from high school they will have
spent more than 24,000 hours in school. Most of that time is spent in the classroom
environment. There is no other communication environment that accommodates our
children for such long periods of time in their formative years. There is no other
communication environment that has greater potential for shaping, molding, sculpting, and
building our children's view of themselves during their formative years. The communication
children have in the classroom is perhaps the most significant predictor of whether or not
the children will believe in themselves as students and excel to the best of their abilities.
Many teachers would like to suggest that their content area is the most significant
predictor of students' achievement and excellence. However, the majority of teachers know
their individual affective and effective communication with their students about the content,
themselves as students, their progress, and their future potential determine student
achievement and excellence. While a primary focus of education must be on content-area
communication, more and more school systems are focusing on effective and affective
Chapter Seven - 71
communication between teaciner and student as a means of promoting student acinievement
and excellence.
In order to promote student achievement and excellence, we must communicate in a
healthy, positive manner with our students so they can develop and maintain healthy,
realistic self-concepts. Students with healthy self-concepts will learn more content, perform
better on tests, have fewer personal needs, require less teacher direction, pursue more
content on their own, have better communication relationships with teachers, peers, and
administrators, and feel more positive about the educational system than students with
unhealthy self-concepts. For decades educational administrators, pedagogical managers,
researchers, and scholars have studied the impacts of student self-concept on academic
achievement and excellence and yet very little effort is still being exerted on the part of
many educational systems to improve healthy, realistic student self-concept. In this
chapter, we will review student self-concept, characteristics of the self, development of
self-concept, dimensions of self-concept, self-concept and academic achievement, and
communication methods for changing or improving student self-concept.
Student Self-Concept: Some Definitions
In this chapter, we will refer to the terms self-concept, self-esteem, self-worth, and
self-image as having the same meaning. Some texts distinguish among some of these
terms (McCroskey, 1998), however, for ease of reading and understandability of material
the above terms will be taken here to be synonymous.
Student self-concept is a student's complete and total view of her or his cognitive,
behavioral, emotional, and psychological capabilities and abilities as a student. Student
self-concept is the student's view of themselves in terms of overall self-worth in the
classroom. Student self-concept is a student's assessment, evaluation, and valuation of
her/himself in the classroom environment. Student self-concept is a student's overall
self-image of themselves in the classroom. Student self-concept is the student's
perceptions, attitudes, beliefs, and values about themselves and how others perceive them
in the school environment.
We are not suggesting self-concept is analogous to conceit, narcissism, egocentric
behavior, being an egotist, vain, or having a high or exaggerated opinion of oneself.
Self-concept is simply a student's realistic view or perception of her/himself in the
classroom environment. The perception a student has of her or himself as a student is
generally stable, consistent over time, and difficult to change. Self-concept is difficult to
change because it is a part of the person. Next we will discuss the characteristics of the self.
Chapter Seven - 72
Characteristics of the Self
In a classic book on self-concept, Purkey (1970) set forth the following composite
definition of self. He stated the self is "a complex and dynamic system of beliefs which an
individual holds true about himself (or herself), each belief with a corresponding value" (p.
7). The definition of self has two primary characteristics: the self is organized and the self is
dynamic. These characteristics will be discussed below.
Self is Organized
Purkey (1970) suggested the "self has a generally stable quality which is
characterized by harmony and orderliness" (p. 7). For example, our students have
perceptions or beliefs about themselves that have some order to them and are relatively
stable across time. I n addition, many of these closely held beliefs are difficult to change.
Each belief or concept has "its own generally negative or positive value" (p. 9). For
example, most students make some evaluation of themselves as a student. Their
evaluations are usually negative or positive. Often they will evaluate themselves in various
subject areas as good or bad.
Another quality of the organized self is that "success and failure are generalized
throughout the system" (p. 9). When one ability is important and highly valued and we fail
at this ability, then our failure will lower our self-evaluation of other, maybe unrelated,
abilities. On the other hand, when one ability is important and highly valued and we achieve
at this ability, then our achievement might raise our self-evaluation of other, maybe
unrelated, abilities. In essence, if a student succeeds in one area of school, then they might
think they can succeed in other areas of school. For example, if a student thinks they are
good at English and English is highly valued to her or him, repeated failure in English will
lower the student's self-concept in other (perhaps unrelated) subject matter areas.
Self is Unique
Like fingerprints, no two people ever hold identical sets of beliefs about themselves.
This uniqueness of the self, which makes for an infinite variety of personalities, helps to
explain problems of communication" (p. 9-10). Because of this uniqueness, differences
occur in how students see themselves, the classroom, and us. For instance, a
Euro-American teacher in Oklahoma might view the classroom differently from a Hispanic
student in Southern California.
Chapter Seven - 73
Self is dynamic
Purkey (1970) states that "each one of us is constantly striving to maintain, protect,
and enhance the self of which he (or she) is aware" (p. 10). The self is dynamic in the sense
that each person is constantly attempting to maintain balance between her/his beliefs and
her/his behavior. The self is the vantage point from which students view the world. Purkey
goes on to state:
Things are significant or insignificant, important or unimportant, attractive or
unattractive, valuable or worthless, in terms of their relationship to oneself.
We evaluate the world and its meaning in terms of how we see ourselves.
Many students do poorly in school simply because what the school is doing
seem irrelevant to himself (or herself) and his (or her) world, (p. 10)
With the self as the vantage point, it is often difficult to change a student's perception of her
or himself. If the student sees her or himself as a poor student, it may take a large number
of successes in school before you can convince them otherwise. Changing a student's view
of her or himself does not happen overnight. However, even our best students can begin to
doubt their abilities if a teacher gives them many unsuccessful or failure experiences. When
a poor student experiences failure, he or she simply accepts it because they expected to do
poorly anyway, no matter how hard they worked.
In general, the self resists change and attempts to strive for consistency. People feel
uncomfortable with themselves when they are forced to change. This is why it is so difficult
to change self-image. Occasionally people will shift their self-image. Situations like the first
day of school, graduation, marriage, a new job, new friends, or retirement might cause a
shift, but overall our self is resistant to permanent change.
Purkey states:
However, the self will change if conditions are favorable. If the child sees the
educative process as meaningful and self-enhancing, and if the degree of
threat provided by the school experience is not overpowering, then he (or
she) is likely to grow in self-esteem and in academic achievement. Very few
students want to be failures at learning, just as very few teachers want to be
failures at teaching, (p. 12)
Chapter Seven - 74
In conclusion, within the self is some personal, internal motivation to engage in some
activity. This can be advantageous for us. Our students come to school with some personal,
internal motivation. It may or may not be to engage in school related activities. We have to
be able to engage them in experiences that will get them motivated in the direction desired
by the school system. If we can tap into a student's internal motivation system, then we can
turn her or him into a "a truly dedicated student with some self-assurance" so they can
succeed in the school process.
The characteristics of self are highly related to student self-concept formation. It is
these very characteristics which make it difficult to alter or change a student's self-image.
When we talk about changing self-concept, we are talking about changing the way a person
views her or himself. This is no easy task. It is not easy because these perceptions of self
are formed early and often solidified early in life. Before we begin to discuss methods for
altering self-concept and building a more realistic view, we must review the development of
self-concept.
Development of Student Self-Concept
The verbal and nonverbal communication the student receives from teachers, school
officials, peers, parents, and other significant persons may have a greater, more far
reaching impact on realistic student self-concept than other variables. While many of our
students enter our classrooms with some degree of a healthy or unhealthy self-concept, it is
we (teachers) who probably have the greatest impact on student self-concept. It is teacher
communication with the student that tells the student how he or she is performing in the
classroom. While our students listen to their peer group and parents, we still have a major
impact on their self-concept because we spend more time with them than any other group
throughout their educational careers. Our verbal and our nonverbal communication with our
students are some of the primary determinants of whether or not a student has a healthy
self-image or an unhealthy self-image of her or himself in the classroom. All other
explanations are peripheral to the development of student self-concept. In relation to
self-concept development and teacher impact, Haim Ginott stated the following:
I've come to a frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the
classroom. ..As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child's life
miserable or joyous... In all situations, it is my response that decides whether
a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or
dehumanized.
Chapter Seven - 75
With the understanding that communication is the l<ey component in self-concept
formation, we will move to discuss other factors that impact student self-concept
development. Keep in mind that the other factors are all related to the communication in
the classroom.
Many students enter our academic halls with a fairly healthy, positive view of
themselves and then in a few short years they leave our academic halls with a less than
healthy, perhaps negative view of themselves. How does this transformation happen?
Again, it goes back to the communication the student encounters. He or she comes in
bright, alert, expectant, energetic, and willing to learn. Then they begin encountering
persons who tell them in verbal or nonverbal ways that they aren't very good at what they
are doing. Some persons tell them they aren't very good persons. After several days,
months, or years of this, the student has developed a feeling about her or himself as a
student. It is this accumulation of data about oneself and one's performance from many
teachers, school personnel, and others that confirms a student's self-concept.
Parents and other significant others have a major impact on a student's self-concept
development. The communication given by significant others often influences a student's
self-regard confirmation. Parents, grandparents, and teachers often feel they have no
impact on a student after the first few grades are completed. This is completely untrue.
Many times students still look to their parents, grandparents, and teachers for assurance
and encouragement. If these significant others don't give guidance, assurance, or
encouragement, the student may begin to feel unsure of him or herself. Students feel that if
the people who are supposed to love and care about their needs, successes, and
achievements think they are doing poorly, then perhaps they are. After extensive periods of
less than positive communication from significant others, a student's self-esteem will be
lowered. Even grown adults still place value upon what their parents think of them and what
they do. So why shouldn't our students do the same?
As a student's positive or negative experiences multiply so does the perception of
self develop. School is filled with many positive and many negative opportunities. Not all
students can succeed in all academic challenges. However, given proper instruction, proper
teacher/student communication, and a good classroom environment, all students should be
able to succeed in most academic challenges. Public school was never designed for an elite
few to do well. It was designed so all students could have an equal opportunity to learn,
process information, perform, and achieve. However, many, many students never have a
number of positive experiences, they have negative experiences that continue to multiply.
Chapter Seven - 76
(See Figure 8.1 for an illustration of this idea.) When failures outnumber successes, a
student's healthy self-concept may be in jeopardy. Often as failures mount, healthy
self-concept decreases.
Stereotyping of a student can significantly heighten the likelihood that a healthy or
unhealthy self-concept will follow. Often students become negatively stereotyped in their
early years in school and this stereotype follows them throughout their academic careers.
There have even been reported incidents of an entire group or family of children who were
all perceived in a negative light by teachers and administrators. What chance does a child
have to succeed if some negative reputation or stereotype precedes her or him?
Communicating
Keyboarding
Band
English
Music
Cheerleading
Behavior
Asking Ouestions
Math
Helping Teacher
Home Economics
Chorus
Social Science
Speech
Geology
Foreign Language
Physical Education
Psychology
Multicultural Studies
History
Geography
Relating to Others
Science
Writing
Playing with Others
Lab Work
Finance
Working with Others
Being Liked
Health
Selected Fan Clubs
Biology
Literature
Computer Science
Astronomy
Listening
Extracurricular Activities
Answering Ouestions
Talking
The above are several areas
w
here a student can succeed
or fail. When the failures
outweigh the successes,
th
e student will have a
lowered student self-image.
Figure 8.1 Potential Areas Where Students Can Succeed or Fail
Above are several areas where a student can succeed or fail. When the failures outweigh
the successes, the student will have a lowered student self-image.
All too often in classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, and school offices we hear killer
statements made to or about our students. Killer statements are usually verbal message
put-downs or negative statements made to a student or made about a student. They are
usually generated by teachers and other school personnel. Often these statements may
even be a part of a teacher's communication repertoire in the classroom. Many times these
statements occur from frustration, tension, or stress in the classroom environment. Killer
Chapter Seven - 77
statements are hurtful comments that usually hit at the core of a student's self-esteem.
Some examples we have heard used by teachers are: "You're so dumb, a door knob looks
bright." "You have a brain the size of a pea." "Where did you get such a stupid idea?"
"Your parents must have had one good child, but it sure isn't you." "You're just like your
older brother, a failure." I think we can see from these examples that killer statements do
not belong in our school setting. These types of statements can hurt any student of any age
and damage their student self-concept.
Lastly, students will acquire some of the self-concept about whom and what they are
by listening, watching, and modeling the behaviors and attitudes of the adults in their
surroundings. For example, students often watch and model the nonverbal behaviors and
spoken attitudes of their teachers. Students consider their teachers to be role models, so
they model them. If we are not positive about ourselves, our profession, our school, our
state, and the general state of education, the students may develop some of the same
behaviors we display. Even the more mature students will begin to model us and speak like
us. If we have a low self-concept, we are likely to have an entire room of nonconfident,
insecure, timid students. If we have a healthy self-concept then we are likely to have an
entire room of confident, secure, self-assured students.
In conclusion, all of the factors which contribute to the development of student
self-concept may or may not be present in each student's environment. No one is sure
exactly what variables or combinations of variables impact every student. But we do know
each student is unique and different and their self-concept is influenced in unique and
different ways. We also know that if a student receives much negative communication over
long periods of time, her or his likelihood of having a lowered self-concept has been
increased. To summarize, we don't know all the reasons why some students have higher or
lower (realistic or unrealistic) self-concepts than others, but we do know that
communication employed by significant others has a major impact on a student's
perceptions of her or himself.
Dimensions of Student Self-Concept
Student self-concept is a multidimensional construct; there are different dimensions
or ways in which students view themselves. There are three primary dimensions. These
dimensions are behavioral self, identity self, and judging self.
Behavioral Self
This dimension of student self-concept refers to the behavior of the student. It is
often viewed as how some student acts or what they do. The behavioral self is usually
Chapter Seven - 78
concerned with some action, movement, beinavior, or student conduct. Tine following are
examples of the behavioral self: Students play, act, sit still, stand up, walk around, learn,
move, motion, gesture, toss a ball, walk, wave arms, listen, recite, change posture, react to
another's movements, write, scribble, draw, perform, balance self, answer, talk, request,
demonstrate, organize, present, and run. This is by no means an exhaustive list of all the
behaviors by which students are judged or make judgments about themselves.
Identity Self
This dimension of student self-concept refers to the identity of the student. It is often
viewed as how some student views or sees what or who they are in the school system. The
identity self is usually concerned with being closely associated with some identity role. The
following are examples of the identity self: Students see themselves as friends, helpers,
sports persons, the class clown, the perfect student, the dumb student, the new student,
the transfer student, the minority, the disabled person, the slow student, the most popular
student, the least popular student, the best liked, least liked, most likely to succeed, least
likely to succeed, most beautiful, least beautiful, richest, poorest, high class, low class, best
dressed, worst dressed, student body president, biggest jerk in the school, trouble maker,
quiet student, noisy student or the nobody. This is by no means an exhaustive list of all the
identities by which students are judged or make judgments about themselves.
J udging Self
This dimension of student self-concept refers to the evaluations, judgments, or
opinions students make about themselves. It is often viewed as how a student judges or
evaluates what they do and who they are. The following are examples of judgmental
statements students might make about themselves: I am a good student. I am a lousy
student. I am an exceptional basketball player. I am a poor basketball player. I am a good
student body president. I am a poor student body president. I am the biggest failure in
school. I am the most intelligent student in school. I am the dumbest student in school. I
am the fattest student in school. The judging self always has some evaluative term or
adjective attached to the student's description of what they do or who they are. These
statements will tell us how the student truly sees her or himself.
If we listen to our students talking to others and talking to us, they will often give us
hints through their communication about how they feel about themselves. We can use this
information to help us adjust our communication so we confirm the positive feelings they
have and not reinforce the negative feelings they have about themselves. If students
Chapter Seven - 79
generate too many negative statements about themselves, eventually they will be what
they say they are.
Self-Concept and Academic Achievement
There are several schools of thought on the relationship between self-concept and
student achievement. We have elected to support the school of thought which suggests
when self-concept is poor (not healthy, strong, or realistic) then student achievement may
be adversely affected. The reasoning for this is that self-concept is a strong mediating,
motivating variable for overall achievement in all levels of school. A student's self-concept,
self-confidence, and self-image are so integral to the student's evaluation system of her or
himself that this self-concept variable will impact a student's potential for academic success.
The student who does poorly in some academic area may or may not have her or his
self-esteem impacted. If that student has a strong, healthy self-concept, they will be able to
overcome an academic disappointment and work to improve that area. However, the
student with low self-concept is less likely to be able to overcome an academic
disappointment and probably will not be able to improve that area.
Children enter our classes with a negative or positive predisposition toward school,
academics, achievement, and success. In our schools their predisposition is often reinforced
and the children live up to our expectations. In our schools their predisposition is often
discouraged and the children change their attitudes about school, academics, achievement,
and success. No one seems to be able to pinpoint where a student's predispositions change
in school but we do know that a teacher (one good or one bad teacher) can have a
significant impact on the self-image of a child. We also know that self-image has a
significant impact on academic achievement. Let's look at a profound description of children
and their self-image as they enter school as provided by Purkey (1970):
It is evident that children come to school with all sorts of ideas about
themselves and their abilities. They have formed pictures of their value as
human beings and of their ability to cope successfully with their
environment. ..the child's self-image is with him (or her) wherever he (or she)
goes, influencing whatever he (or she) does. Negative self-esteem, however,
is often overlooked because we fail to take the time and effort it requires to
be sensitive to how children see themselves and their abilities, (p. 37)
Chapter Seven - 80
Unfortunately, many of our children enter our classrooms with the feeling that they are
"useless," "worthless," or "have no value." It takes time, effort, caring, and effective
teacher communication to get these children to perceive themselves differently. Perhaps
what is more puzzling is that many children come to school with the feeling that they are
"useful," "valuable," or "have value," and somewhere in the process of education they begin
to perceive themselves differently and their positive self-image moves to a negative
self-image. Whether children come with a negative self-concept or develop a negative
self-concept in school, it is clear that self-concept can impact academic achievement and
even lead to antisocial student behaviors.
Effects of Self-Concept on Achievement
Through effective communication with our students we may be able to provide an
environment where even the student with the lowest self-esteem can learn and thrive. This
must be our goal. Otherwise we will have numbers of students who are failing in many
aspects offered by our educational systems.
Every year there are more and more reports linking low student self-concept with
poor academic performance, increased absenteeism from school, increased frustration with
school, increased antisocial behaviors in the school environment, and more failures. It
seems more of our students are having self-concept, self- identification problems than
previously reported. Of course if students don't see themselves in a positive light it is
difficult to view other things in a positive light, such as school. Since school is such a
significant portion of their life, if they don't get their self-concepts built up in school, then
they may never have another opportunity to have their self-concepts built up.
Clearly children's self-concepts impact the way they view themselves, us, and the
school system. Children with poor self-concepts are not as likely to learn to read, write,
spell, speak, relate, and manage mathematics, science and so on as well as students who
have high self- concepts. Children with poor self-concepts are not as likely to be able to
discern appropriate positive student behaviors in the classroom to assist in the achievement
process as well as students who have high self-concepts. Children will poor self-concepts
are not as likely to willingly engage in the interactive instructional process as students who
have high self-concepts. Children with poor self-concepts are not as likely to understand
and grasp new curriculums and instructional strategies as well as students who have high
self-concepts. Children with poor self-concepts are not as likely to acquire new concepts and
material on their own as students who have high self-concepts. Children with poor
self-concepts are more likely to be misbehavior problems and present antisocial behaviors
Chapter Seven - 81
than students with high self-concepts. It is not surprising then that students with low
self-concepts fare less well in school than students with high self-concepts. In addition,
teachers often like to interact with, work with, and encourage the higher self-concept
students more than the low self-concept students. It is more rewarding to work with a high
self-concept, self-assured student than it is to work with a low self-concept student.
In conclusion, Purkey (1970) sums up the relationship between self-concept and
student academic achievement by stating:
Overall, the research evidence clearly shows a persistent and significant
relationship between the self-concept and academic achievement. Judging by
the preponderance of available research, it seems reasonable to assume that
unsuccessful students, whether underachievers, nonachievers, or poor
readers, are likely to hold attitudes about themselves and their abilities which
are pervasively negative. They tend to see themselves as less able, less
adequate, and less self-reliant than their more successful peers,
(pp. 15 &22)
It is clear that students' negative self- perceptions will impact their academic achievement,
their learning, their socialization in school, their communication with others, and their
behavior.
Figure 8.2 illustrates the impact that student self-concept and student abilities have
on academic achievement. As we can see from Figure 8.2, there are four resultant levels of
academic achievement based on self-concept and ability.
Student
Ability
High
Low
Student Se
High
High Achievers or
Over Achievers
ilf-Concept
Low
Underachievers
Moderate to Good
Achievers
Nonachievers
Figure 8.2 Model Of Student Self-Concept Ability Level And Achievement
Chapter Seven - 82
Box 1 suggests the student with a high or healthy self-concept and high ability will
be a high achiever or overachiever. The reason for this is that the student in Box 1 has high
self-confidence because of the healthy self-concept and, combined with high ability, they
can master almost any subject matter or content area. This combination of confidence and
ability allows this student to be able to approach most academic and social arenas in school
with self-assurance, confidence, skill, and competence. Other descriptive terms for this
student might include the following: a go-getter; self-starter; an initiator; or a leader. These
students will experience high achievement in the school system and many academic and
personal rewards. They accomplish, succeed, and perform in many arenas. They rarely fail
or fall down in any area of school. Of course these students are only a very small proportion
of the student population. They are generally well-liked, respected, and receive much
positive communication from their teachers.
Box 2 shows a student with a healthy or high self-concept and a low ability level.
This student is still likely to have moderate to good achievement because of their high
self-concept which gives them self-assurance and self-confidence. They are confident but
have less ability than the students in Box 1, but they know that if they strive, work hard,
and study, they can master many subjects and succeed in school. These students might
also be called: I think I cans; the try, try agains 'till I get it right; the pluggers who plug
away until they get it right; the stick to it students; the plodders who plod along until they
get it right; or hard workers. These students will also experience good levels of achievement
in the school system and many academic and personal rewards. They have high aspirations.
They work hard, try hard, attempt to do things well, talk to teachers about how to improve,
have high need to work and succeed and usually do succeed because of their dedication,
determination, and confidence. While their ability is not as high as Box 1 (and they are well
aware of their limited abilities), they succeed because they are driven to succeed by a
strong, healthy self-concept. These students usually comprise a larger proportion of the
student population than Box 1. They, too, are generally well-liked, respected for their
tenacity, and receive much positive communication from their teachers.
Box 3 shows a student with an unhealthy or low self-concept and a high ability level.
This student is not likely to achieve up to their ability level because they lack confidence and
self-assurance. They are less confident in themselves than Boxes 1 or 2 because of their low
self-concept or low perceptions of themselves. Their self-concept holds them back from
achieving up to their ability level. These students are often seen as underachievers. These
students might also be called: the low achievers; I can't students; or the frustrated ones.
These students have the ability but their low self-concept is holding them back from
Chapter Seven - 83
academic achievement. Often teaciners will say to this group of students "you should be
doing better than you are, what's the matter?" This group has been defeated by their
self-image and is easily discouraged in the classroom. Even when they do perform well in
the classroom and get reinforced for it, they think it was luck, chance, or the instructor had
pity on them. It takes a lot of teacher reinforcement to show them that they have the ability
to do well. They give up easily, don't attempt new projects, and often become frustrated
with school, which might lead to misbehavior problems. These students usually comprise
the same proportion of the student population as Box 2.
Box 4 shows a student with an unhealthy or low self-concept and a low ability level.
This student is not likely to achieve much in school. In fact they may become the mental
and/or physical dropouts. They are not confident in themselves, have a very low opinion of
themselves, and have low ability. These students are often viewed as nonachievers. These
students might also be referred to as: the dropouts; the deadbeats; the lost ones; the lost
souls; or I don't care group. These students are held back because they have low
self-concepts and low ability. They are truly less in tune with school, less likely to attend
school, and are often the mental dropouts. Many times these students will stay in school for
social or legal reasons. They are often absent from school and have to be forced to attend
school. They will often join antisocial groups and be susceptible to influence from the
antisocial groups. School is not relevant so they find some group that is. These students do
not enjoy the rewards that the school has to offer. In fact, teachers usually wonder why
these students are in their classes. These students usually comprise the same proportion of
the student population as Box 1.
In conclusion, it is clear student self-concept has an impact on student achievement,
success, and learning. The students with the lower self-concepts are more likely to achieve
less, learn less, and be frustrated more with school than students with the higher
self-concepts. So then what do we do? First, we must nurture and make sure the students
with the higher self-concepts in Boxes 1 and 2 continue to flourish in our systems. We don't
want to assume that because they are self- motivated they can be ignored. At the same time
we cannot spend all our time nurturing them while neglecting others. Second, we need to
build or increase the self-esteem of students in Boxes 3 and 4. We must do this without
neglecting the others in our classes. As suggested earlier, our jobs are not easy, but then
again no one promised us teaching was easy. Before we move to communication strategies
for enhancing students, self- concepts, we will review one of the primary explanations of
learning and self-concept.
Chapter Seven - 84
Poker Chip Theory of Learning
The "poker chip theory of learning" was advanced to explain the relationship
between self-concept and student achievement and learning. Canfield and Wells (1976)
advanced the idea that "we see all learning as the result of a risk-taking situation somewhat
akin to a poker game (or any other gambling situation, for that matter)" (p. 7). They
continue by suggesting that in any potential learning situation in the classroom students are
asked to take risks, such as: giving a speech; reciting a poem; answering a question orally
in class; writing her or his name; asking the teacher a question; doing a math problem at
the board, writing a paper on Shakespeare; doing a computer program; or doing some
artwork. In each situation the student is risking approval, failure, success, disapproval,
rejection, humiliation, judgment, and perhaps even punishment. They state that at a
"deeper level the student is risking his or her self-concept" (p. 7).
To make the analogy more understandable, we must assign the following
representations: the school or educational organization is the house; the teacher is the
dealer; the student is the player; and the student's self-concept is her or his stack of poker
chips. Some students start the education game with more chips than other students. The
students who come into our classes with the higher number of chips have a great advantage
over the students who don't have as many chips. For example, the student who comes into
our class with one hundred chips can lose many chips, take many risks before they can no
longer play the game. However, the student who comes into our class with twenty chips
can't play the education game as long or be as risky before their chips are all gone.
Students with high self-concepts have a lot of chips and can play the game of education a
long, long time before their chips are depleted. Students with low self-concepts have few
chips and can't play the game of education as long before their chips are depleted.
The school (the house) sets the rules of the game. The teacher (the dealer) deals a
good hand or a bad hand to the students. The students play the game and many students
gain higher self-concepts, while many have their self-concepts lowered. Often this happens
because either the school or the teacher deals a "bad" or "dirty" hand. He or she builds the
chips for the students who seem most worthy, most promising, and most productive. He or
she lowers the number of chips for the students who seem least worthy, least promising,
and least productive. In most cases those students with high self-concepts can play the
game longer and take more risks than those students with low self-concepts. Hence, the
winners in the game are usually the students who enter our classes with more chips. The
losers are usually the students who enter our classes with fewer chips. The students who
played well in the past and earned many chips will be able to play more in the future. The
Chapter Seven - 85
students who did not play well in the past and did not earn as many chips will not be able to
play more in the future. This is why we have children in Boxes 3 and 4 of Figure 8.2.
Earlier we suggested the teacher has control of the deck and he or she can deal a
good or a bad hand. We are not suggesting teachers intentionally deal a bad hand to some
students (although we know some who do). We are suggesting that a teacher through her
or his communication and reactions to students often deal an unintentionally "crooked"
hand to many students with low self-concepts. We unintentionally reinforce students with
high self-concepts more thus building up their stack of chips, while not building or even
lowering the chips of the low self-concept students. How does this happen? It happens
primarily by teachers unintentionally being more responsive and communicative with the
higher self-concept students and being less responsive and communicative with the lower
self-concept students. Teachers often call on the brighter students (or those with higher
self-concepts) more often; give prompts to the brighter students more often; give harder
questions to the brighter students; help brighter students formulate answers; like, respect,
talk with brighter students more often; give emotional and social support to the brighter
students; spend more time with the brighter students; integrate the brighter students into
school activities more often; are more accepting of brighter students' ideas; spend more
time with the brighter students; and generally are more nonverbally and verbally responsive
to the brighter students. The less than bright students (or those with lower self-concepts)
are often left to themselves in the classroom and school environment. As the brighter
students' self-concepts increase, the less than bright students' self-concepts decrease. What
can we do to nurture those students whose self-concepts need nurturing while building the
self-concepts of those students who have lower self-images? The next section hopefully
should answer the above question.
Communication Strategies For
Nurturing and Building Realistic Student Self-Concept
There are many, many strategies for nurturing and building realistic student
self-concept. We will review some of the primary strategies. However, we must keep in
mind none of these strategies will be useful if we don't believe they can work. They will not
be useful if we aren't willing to acknowledge that we are the primary force in changing,
molding, nurturing a child's self-image in the school system.
We must establish a positive, affective, cooperative classroom environments in which
children feel they can contribute ideas which will be integrated into the content or
classroom, ask and answer questions, and give examples relating to the content without
Chapter Seven - 86
fear of punishment or negative evaluations. In this same vein, we must show a willingness
to listen, listen, listen to our students. Often we use our vocal communication tool (the
mouth) too much when in fact we should be using our receiving communication tools (our
ears) more.
Our pedagogical approach must be student oriented. Our students must take priority
each and every day. Each student must receive equal amounts of attention, communication,
instruction, and time from us. No one student should receive more of the above than the
other students.
We establish the tone for the classroom. We have to eliminate all killer statements
from our speech and not allow students to use killer statements on one another. Killer
statements can keep lower self-concept students from interacting, exchanging ideas, or
participating in class projects. Even our more secure students might be hesitant to interact
or exchange communication if they are likely to receive a killer statement for their efforts.
We need to always ask ourselves before we toss an unkind, hurtful word or statement at a
student, "would we want our own children treated like this?" We need to stop killing
students with our verbal communication. Instead we need to nurture students through our
communication.
Through our verbal and nonverbal communication behavior patterns we must
communicate praise, reinforcement, and encouragement to each and every student for her
or his efforts. This could be accomplished in a variety of ways. For example, we could use
"happy" or "positive" stickers on projects or papers to show support. We could smile at each
student once a day. We could give a nod to each student as they enter or leave our
classrooms. We need to acknowledge their contributions and give encouragement and
guidance for future contributions.
We need to assist students in cognitively restructuring their views of themselves and
their ideas. We should not let our students "put themselves down" and we should never
reinforce them when they do so. When students constantly say they are "dumb" or "stupid"
we need to have them restructure their thoughts so they stop thinking and saying they are
dumb or stupid. If they say it long enough and often enough, they may begin to believe it.
We must focus on their accomplishments more often, and focus less on their failures.
We should communicate with them about their accomplishments, achievements, and
recognitions. We should avoid "over focusing" or "overemphasizing" their failures and
weaknesses. Most of our students are very aware of their shortcomings and will focus on
them even when we don't. We must communicate their achievements to them so they want
Chapter Seven - 87
to continue to achieve in some area of scinool. If we fail to communicate any achievements
to them, they may quit attempting to achieve at school.
We must communicate a sense of belongingness and connectedness to each and
every student. This can be accomplished by making sure each and every student has the
opportunity to join some prosocial club or group in our school. Many schools are already
eliminating the "cut policy." We should attempt to incorporate more groups where there are
"no cut policies" and all who want to belong or be connected to the group can be. It is
better to have our students belonging to prosocial school groups than looking for antisocial
street groups for a sense of belongingness.
We need to build affinity with our students. As affinity between teacher and student
increases, so does effective communication. As effective communication increases, the
likelihood of conflict, disagreement, and classroom problems decrease. As affinity and
effective communication increase, so does the likelihood that students will believe us when
we say they are "good" students. Even the students who have never heard the word "good"
before their name will believe it and they will start acting and communicating like good
students.
In summary, many students come to our schools feeling worthy, valuable, good, and
strong. Many students leave our schools feeling unworthy, bad, and weak. This should not
happen. Low student self-esteem is becoming a chronic problem, if not an epidemic, within
our educational system. Teachers can increase student self-esteem through effective and
affective communication. We must communicate respect, liking, affinity, helpfulness, and
caring in order for our students to survive this debilitating disease.
References and Recommended Readings
Canfield, J., & Wells, H. C. (1976). 100 ways to enhance self-concept in the classroom.
Englewood Cliffs, NJ : Prentice Hall.
Canter, L. & Canter, M. (1993). Succeeding with difficult students: New strategies for
reaching your most challenging students. Santa Monica, CA: Lee Canter and
Associates.
Chavez, L. (Feb. 21, 1996). Self-esteem's dark side emerges. USA Today, Wednesday, page
llA.
Coopersmith, S. (1967). The antecedents of self-esteem. San Francisco: W. H. Freeman and
Co.
Chapter Seven - 88
Covington, M. (1984). The self-worth theory of achievement motivation: Findings and
implications. The Elementary School Journal, 85, 5-20.
Ginott, H. (1965). Between parent and child: New solutions to old problems. New York:
Macmillan.
Ginott, H. (1972). Teacher and child. New York: Macmillan.
McCroskey, J . C. (1998). An introduction to communication in the classroom (2"^ Ed.).
Acton, MA: Tapestry Press.
McCroskey, J . C, Richmond, V. P., & McCroskey, L. L. (2006). An introduction to
communication in the classroom: The role of communication in teaching and training.
Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
McCroskey, J. C, & Richmond, V. P. (1996). Fundamentals of human communication: An
interpersonal perspective. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Purkey, W. W. (1970). Self concept and school achievement. Englewood Cliffs, NJ : Prentice
Hall.
Purkey, W. W. (1978). Inviting school success: A self-concept approach to teaching and
learning. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Silvernail, D. L. (1981). Developing positive student self-concept. Washington, DC: A
National Education Association Publication.
Simon, M. (1975). Chasing killer statements from the classroom. Learning,
August/September, 79-82.
Urbanska, W. (1991). Self-esteem: The hope of the future. New Woman, March, 52-58.
Wrench, J. S., McCroskey, J. C, & Richmond, V. P. (2008). Human communication in
everyday life: Explanations and applications. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Chapter Seven - 89
I NSTRUCTI ONAL ASSESSMENT:
FEEDBACK, GRADI NG, AND AFFECT
Chapter Eight Objectives
1. Review the importance/functions of feedback in tine classroom.
2. Distinguisin between formative and summative feedbacl< and give examples of each.
3. Provide two guidelines for giving and two guidelines for receiving feedback.
Instructional assessment is a process that includes a variety of activities and
decisions. It includes both descriptive and judgmental feedback from teachers to students,
as well as from students to teachers. It can occur at various times in the learning process,
from preassessment determinations of where students are at the beginning of a course of
study, through various kinds of communication related to how they are doing (and how the
instructor is doing!) during the course of study, to an evaluation of how everyone did at the
end of the course of study.
Defining the Assessment Process
Assessm ent
Assessment is an umbrella term that refers to the entire process of collecting
information and making judgments about instructional outcomes. It helps teachers decide
what is working and what is not. Preassessment provides insight into what students already
know, and don't know, before beginning instruction. Preassessment might be formal, such
as a pretest of course- related knowledge and/or skills, informal, such as observation of
attitudes and anxieties about the area of study that students express, or a combination of
the two. It is intended to allow teachers to better tailor instructional objectives and
strategies to individual students or to a particular group of students. Formative assessment
occurs during the process of instruction, providing periodic information on what students
have learned and what remains to be learned. Formative assessment can also tap students'
affective responses to the instructional process -- what makes them happy or excited or
comfortable and what does not. Given this kind of information, which can also be solicited in
either formal or informal ways, teachers can make procedural adjustments that maximize
the likelihood of achieving cognitive, psychomotor, and affective objectives before the unit,
course, or the year is over. Summative assessment occurs at the end of a course of study.
In mastery learning, it is the certification that an objective or objectives have been
Chapter Eight -90
mastered. In traditional systems, it includes the determination of grades. In instructional
planning terms, it is a look back over the whole process and asking "how did I do?"
Measurement
Measurement refers to decisions about how the achievement of objectives will be
operationalized or quantified. In writing complete instructional objectives, a process which
has been discussed in a previous chapter, it is the part of the statement that specifies the
evidence that will be used to determine whether or not the goal has been accomplished.
Testing is one kind of measurement, and usually refers to students' opportunity to respond
to an identical set of questions under controlled conditions. Effective assessment measures
should be both valid and reliable.
A valid measure is one that reflects what it claims to reflect. For a test to be a valid
measure of students' mastery of a set of objectives, it should include representative
questions for all the objectives, not be concentrated on one or two of them. A valid measure
of whether or not students have been successful at learning how to play the piano would by
necessity include their demonstration of performance skills, since even correctly answering
100 percent of a set of questions about how to play the piano will not be a valid indicator
that a student can actually do it. Determining the validity of measures of affective outcomes
is sometimes less clear-cut than measuring objectives in the other learning domains;
however, if one of a teacher's goals is to increase students' joy of reading, it is important to
think about whether their checking out more books from the library is a valid reflection of
their enjoying reading books or if it in fact reflects their getting points toward their grade for
each book read.
A reliable measure is one which is accurate and consistent. Three typical ways of
assessing the reliability of paper-and- pencil tests are the test-retest method, the equivalent
forms method, and the split-half method. In the first instance, if giving the same test to the
same group of students within a short period of time results in similar scores, the test is
judged to be reliable. In the second instance, if two equivalent forms of a test are
developed, covering the same material, reliability can be determined by comparing the
scores on the two forms. In the third instance, the scores for even-numbered and
odd-numbered items on longer tests can be compared to one another to indicate whether
they provide a consistent profile of student mastery. Assessing the rating reliability on essay
tests, project reports, and performances is more challenging. Teachers might occasionally
want to put aside a set of graded papers and reread them at a later time (without referring
to the previously recorded grade) to see whether their judgments are consistent. They
Chapter Eight -91
might also consider comparing tineir assessments witin tinose of otiner raters, including
students, to see whether there is inter- rater agreement as to whether or not the assignment
met its objectives.
Evaluation
Evaluation is a judgment of merit or worth, often communicated via grading.
Assessment is not necessarily evaluative, nor does it necessarily have to lead to an ultimate
grade. Even when a test or assignment is evaluated as to its relative worth (that is,
students are given a report of how well they did), the evaluative information should be
accompanied by descriptive information which tells students what they did, or are doing,
well and not so well, and how they can do better. In addition, it is often appropriate to
provide descriptive feedback without tacking on an evaluative assessment. The next two
sections of this chapter will deal with these two kinds of information provided by
assessment-based feedback.
Evaluative Feedback
Bases for Evaluation
There are two general bases for evaluating student learning: norm- referenced
evaluation and criterion- referenced evaluation. Norm- referenced evaluation is very familiar
as the "bell-shaped curve." It is designed to rate a student's performance in relation to the
performance of the other students. Students are rank ordered, and grade cutoffs are based
on how well the normative group did as a whole. Often the normative group to which a
student is compared is his or her own class, although it may be an aggregate of several
groups of students who have completed the same task. The individual student is judged in
terms of a relative standard; her or his grade reflects that he or she did better than 80 % of
the students in the normative group but does not indicate if that means that 40 %, 60 %, or
80 % -- or any other percent -- of the test questions were answered correctly.
Norm- referenced evaluation tends to be criticized for unduly punishing moderate and
high-ability students in high-ability classes and unduly rewarding moderate and low-ability
students in low-ability classes. It is the most defensible when the normative group is very
large and varied so that the probability of a representative distribution of students is likely.
Criterion- referenced evaluation is based on absolute, objective performance standards or
criteria. Its intent is to indicate whether or not a student has mastered a behavior specified
in a formal instructional objective. All students have the opportunity of doing well--or of
Chapter Eight -92
failing to do well. The key to effective criterion- referenced evaluation is to be sure the
measurement of achievement is both reliable and valid. When teachers are required to
translate criterion- referenced evaluation systems into a graduated scale of grades, they
must specify criteria for different levels of mastery.
Although the distinction between norm- referenced and criterion- referenced
evaluation seems to be straightforward, it is common for teachers to assign grades without
a clear picture of what they communicate. While they may not subscribe to the idea of
grading on a norm- referenced curve, they may also feel uncomfortable when there are "too
many" high grades, or "too many" low grades, assuming that tests must be too easy (or
hard) or subjective grading standards too lenient (or stringent) when that occurs. In
addition, they feel they have a sense of which students need to be challenged to work
harder and which need to be reinforced for working hard and use grades as a means of
doing so. Thus, judgments of "effort" or "improvement" are considered in modifying the
nom or criterion- referenced evaluations before they are communicated to students as
grades.
Such hybridizing, of course, serves to muddy the ability of anyone -- students,
parents, potential employers, teachers at the next level, and so forth -- to interpret what a
particular grade means. If Tika "tried hard" but did not master any of the course objectives
will the next teacher know that's what his "C" means? If Dalia mastered every objective but
skipped class a lot, how will anyone know that her "C" means something entirely different?
Similarly, if Fernando did worse than 97 % of her classmates but showed improvement
should her grade be raised at least to a "D" to encourage her? Meanwhile, should Brad, who
ranked dead-center in the class but could have tried harder, have his grade lowered to a "D"
to tell him his work is below par for his potential? If so, how are we going to communicate
what messages these grades really carry?
A Brief History of Grades
Milton, Pollio and Eison (1986) present an interesting chronicle of the history of
grades. While the emphasis of their book is on college grades, the trends they illustrate
have been characteristic across educational levels and provide some insight into the
quandaries associated with evaluative feedback as a part of instructional assessment.
The first grades were recorded in this country in 1783 at Yale, where four descriptive
adjectives were used: Optime, Second Optime, I nferiores, and Pejores. These terms
translate roughly into the designations of an earlier English system which evaluated
students as Honor Men, Pass Men, Charity Passes, and Unmentionables. The standard by
Chapter Eight -93
which students were classified into these ranl<s is not clear, but it appears that they were
intended as designations of academic mastery. In the early 1800s, however, the College of
William and Mary reflected a different perspective on evaluation criteria in sending all
parents of students a report in which their student's name appeared in one of four lists
related primarily to their perceived industriousness (this was obviously before the days of
academic privacy laws!):
1. The first in their respective classes, orderly and attentive and have made the
most flattering improvement.
2. Orderly, correct and attentive and their improvement has been respectable.
3. They have made very little improvement and as we apprehend from want of
diligence.
4. They have learnt little or nothing and we believe on account of escapade and
idleness. (Milton, Pollio & Eison, 1986, p. 4)
By the 1830s numerical scales became popular. Some schools used a 4-point scale,
some a 9-point scale, some a 20-point scale, and some a 100-point scale. In 1850 the
University of Michigan adopted a pass/fail system; however, by 1860 a "conditioned" level
had been added and in 1864 a 100-point scale was incorporated, with a minimum of 50
required for a pass. Meanwhile, other schools which were using three-level evaluations
(Passed, Passed With Distinction, and Failed) added plus and minus signs so that students
who "Passed With Distinction" could be distinguished from those who merely "Passed With
Distinction --." There appeared to be an ongoing inclination toward making finer and finer
distinctions among students' relative degrees of success.
At the end of the nineteenth century, the 100-point scale had become quite popular,
with the numerical scores translated into letter symbols to separate students into five
achievement groups. Shortly after the turn of the century, the curve came into being at the
University of Missouri, as a response to an uproar over a professor who had failed an entire
class. The top 3 % of students in a class were thenceforth to be labeled excellent (A), the
next 22 % judged superior (B), the middle 50 % to be assessed as medium (C), the next 22
% rated inferior (D), and the bottom 3 % to fail (F). By the end of World War I the curve
had caught on, coupled with an era of "objectivity" in testing -- true/false and
multiple-choice tests were the hot trends in a new climate of "scientific" evaluation.
Norm- referenced curves, using a 5-point A - F scale, remained the predominant
grading philosophy until the 1960s, when a wave of educational humanism led to adoptions
Chapter Eight -94
of pass/fail and self- referenced evaluations. This, in turn, led to criticisms of grade inflation
and -- once again -- a reactionary trend toward 13-point scales incorporating a full range of
plus and minus designations on top of the traditional A - F scale. School faculties spent a
great deal of time discussing whether and how plus and minus grades should be calculated
into grade point averages, and whether honors or advanced placement classes should count
differently than other classes. For example, in one of the authors' first year of teaching high
school, the big decision of the year -- made after excruciating deliberation -- was to award
an extra honor point for each grade earned in an honors-level class. Thus, an "A" would be
calculated as five points rather than four, a "B" as four points rather than three, and so
forth. The theory was that this would allow honors teachers to separate the most-honorable
students from the merely- honorable and barely- honorable students, and to try to motivate
honors students with grades without the danger that some special education student would
end up as valedictorian (we swear this was the precise rationale for the system!).
In the end, it becomes apparent that interpreting the messages communicated by
grades is a complex process. Milton and his colleagues report the findings of one of their
own studies in which experienced faculty members were asked: "Imagine that an intelligent
well-informed adult (not connected to higher education) asks you: 'Student X received a B
in your course. What does that B mean?'" More than 70 % of the respondents gave
straightforward responses to the question without equivocating. Later in the questionnaire
the same faculty were asked: "I magine that your son or daughter is in college. A final grade
of C is received in a very important course. How do you interpret this grade to yourself?
that is, what does it tell you about your child?" Only 14 % of the respondents said, in this
case, that the grade meant "average." The rest were uncertain and wanted to know more
specific details about the grade. The moral, we think, is that teachers may well have a clear
idea of what their grading systems communicate but that does not mean that shared
meaning is inevitable.
Descriptive Feedbacic
Feedback To Students. As we have seen, evaluative feedback -- which is
communicated in the form of some sort of grading system -- is likely to require a descriptive
explanation so that its intended meaning can be interpreted. Without descriptive feedback,
a student will not know why a paper earned a "C" rather than an "A" and will be left
guessing as to how to improve on the next paper. Without descriptive feedback, a parent
will not know whether her child is being evaluated on a norm- referenced or
criterion- referenced basis, or what kind of hybridization entered into the final grade. In
Chapter Eight -95
addition, tinere are many instances tinrouginout a course of study winen formative feedbacl< is
appropriate, in winicin case a clear description of winat tine student inas mastered and winat
remains to be mastered is essential, along with some helpful direction in correcting
problems.
Many teachers, the authors included, have expressed frustration at having spent
hours writing descriptive comments on student papers only to have many students check
the grade and toss the paper in the waste basket by the door. Often this is because
students see the assignment of a grade as a summative exercise, and do not perceive the
comments on one paper as formative feedback for the next paper. For this reason, it is
advisable to provide opportunities for students to obtain descriptive feedback during the
process of completing a particular assignment, without being accompanied by an evaluation.
Comments on draft copies of assignments or during the developmental stages of projects
are more likely to be perceived as having immediately applicable relevance.
Providing descriptive feedback can be time consuming, although teachers should
remember that it does not always mean taking home twice as many stacks of papers so
that each can be read twice. Sometimes problems that many students are having can be
assessed by simply moving around the classroom as students work, or by looking at a
sample of eight or ten students' in progress work. These problems can then be brought to
the attention of the class as a whole, as the subject of corrective instruction lessons. Often
students can give one another descriptive feedback by working in dyads or small groups, or
teachers can pair students who are having problems with those who have mastered a task.
Some teachers program a number of precoded comments into a computer so that
they can generate personalized feedback for each student by drawing from the coded menu.
This allows them to return fully developed explanations of what the student might do to
improve her or his performance without having to write the same comments over and over
on various papers. Some very individualized notes might still be helpful, but any of us who
have written comments in student lab notebooks, on critique forms for class presentations,
on essays, or in letters to parents which accompany report cards know that progress toward
common objectives usually elicits a relatively predictable need for advice.
Many times it is helpful to separate the descriptive and evaluative components of
feedback on graded work. For example, scheduling student conferences a day or so after a
set of papers or tests has been returned will usually result in a calmer, more objective
discussion than will "buttonhole" conferences on the way out of class -- initiated by the
teacher or the student -- while emotions over a disappointing grade are running high. It is
logistically difficult in most classes to talk individually with all students after every
Chapter Eight -96
assessment opportunity. In elementary and secondary classes, the ability to schedule
conferences outside of class time in usually limited; however, opportunities for individual
discussions can often be found when the class as a whole is involved in an activity that
demands minimal teacher supervision. The students' attitude toward such discussions will
be far more positive if they are not reserved only for bad news!
Feedback from Students. Descriptive feedback can also be directed from the
student to the teacher. This kind of feedback allows teachers to make changes in classroom
atmosphere, instructional strategies, and so forth based on student input. Research has
shown that students are very appropriate sources to solicit information regarding
student-instructor relationships; their views on the workload and assignments; what they
are learning in the course; the perceived fairness of grading; and the instructor's ability to
communicate clearly. Sometimes there is truly nothing the teacher can do to accommodate
a student's wishes, but responding to the concern with an expression of empathy and an
explanation of why an idea cannot be incorporated in the classroom shows that the
feedback is being considered seriously and is likely to result in affective payoffs. Many times
student feedback does suggest things a teacher can do (or do more of) to better
accommodate the needs and preferences of the particular class. When that is the case, the
instructional process is likely to be enhanced.
Feedback from students can be solicited formally or informally. Feedback forms can
be devised for periodic use, or students can simply be requested to "write down what you
liked most about this unit and what you would have liked to be done differently." One way
to do this is a Start-Stop-Continue sheet. Have students fold a piece of paper into thirds and
write the words "stop," "start," and "continue" one per each section on the page. Then have
your students write down (anonymously) things that they would like you to stop doing,
things they would like you to start doing, and things they would like you to continue doing.
Other teachers place a feedback item at the end of each test so students can "grade" the
test. Some develop a routine in which students can drop off a note in a designated place at
the end of any day or class period to request content or process clarification that can be
made at the start of the next day/class, to comment on anything they liked or didn't like
that day, or just to tell the teacher something they want to share in private. This technique
usually takes some prompting to get it started; making a point of responding to the
feedback and reinforcing students for providing it helps.
The information from formative evaluations of student progress toward mastering
objectives also serves as feedback to the teacher. A formative "test," that is not graded, will
provide information on where corrective instruction is needed, as well as telling students
Chapter Eight -97
how they are doing. Similarly, the process of reviewing any student work while it is in
progress will result not only in an opportunity to give students descriptive feedback but also
give the teacher an indication of how things are going. Students can be asked to describe
how they think they are doing rather than the teacher's initiating descriptive feedback. Their
perceptions can be an enlightening means of assessing how they have decoded the
teacher's directions or advice.
If you have your students write an evaluation of the class, or in the Stop-Start-
Continue exercise, you must debrief your students once you have examined what they have
written. Students want to know that their teachers are taking their opinions and ideas
seriously. If your students want you to stop giving homework, this is an unrealistic
expectation that requires an explanation for why the homework is so important. If you
cannot stop or start something that your students would like you to, explain to them why
you cannot do so. Just be careful to avoid the infamous "Because I'm the teacher and you're
the student!"
Assessment and Affect
Being evaluated makes people feel vulnerable. Any adult who was in the position of
having to take a test to renew a driver's license or to obtain a license after having moved to
a different state knows how much anxiety accompanies the possibility of failure. No matter
how much one rationally tells oneself that marginally literate sixteen-year-olds pass the test
every day, the prospect of taking a test -- or placing the right to drive a car on the line -- is
uncomfortable. Similarly, many teachers are wary of asking their students for feedback
because they cannot get past the negative comments, even if there are 50 compliments for
each criticism.
Being in the position of having to make evaluative judgments can also be
uncomfortable. Many teachers find themselves regularly agonizing over grades. Some
develop a defensively callous attitude and spend a good deal of time in the teachers' lounge
looking for reinforcement for their observations that students just don't care and are
becoming more and more unteachable. Others try to avoid getting to know students any
more than absolutely necessary so that they can assign grades to names rather than
people.
We have previously stated that evaluation should, in fact, be relatively
dispassionate; that norm- referenced or criterion- referenced grading systems should not be
muddied with judgments of effort or improvement. We also believe that it is essential that
teachers recognize the influence of success and failure on self-esteem, motivation, and
Chapter Eight -98
attitudes toward learning. At first glance these may seem to be contradictory observations;
however, they actually reflect two interdependent decisions that teachers make: deciding
how students will be judged, and deciding how to communicate those judgments.
Making J udgments
In making the first decision, deciding how students will be judged, teachers should
be compulsively explicit about what will constitute varying degrees of success and what will
constitute failure. Clearly specified instructional objectives are a means of doing so,
particularly in a mastery learning system where evaluation is limited to an assessment of
whether or not an objective has been mastered or needs further work. In schools in which
graduated grading scales are used, the kind of schools in which most of us work, the basis
on which various grades will be assigned should be clear to everyone involved -- students,
parents, administrators, and the teachers themselves. The measures used in assessment
should themselves be assessed in terms of both their validity (in which case clearly defined
instructional objectives again come into play) and their reliability. Having done these things,
teachers can direct all sorts of passionate, creative energy into devising ways to help
students excel in meeting the goals of the course of study -- but when it comes to
evaluating how students have done, the process should be a dispassionate one of matching
performance to performance criteria.
While some students may be unhappy about an outcome, they will be more resentful
of inconsistency. If they are told what they will have to be able to do and are assessed in
terms of something else their affect for the teacher -- and probably the subject -- will be
diminished. If some students are assessed by different criteria than other students, affect
among students will be compromised. Teachers may be unhappy that some students did not
do as well as they would have wished, and continue to consider ways to modify the
instructional process, but they will be absolved from "giving" grades.
Communicating J udgments
The second decision teachers must make is how to communicate their judgments to
students. We must provide more information to students about their performance than just
their grades. Descriptive feedback can be reinforcing and encouraging. Even work that is
honestly and fairly evaluated as below standard can be returned with positive as well as
corrective comments. Regular formative feedback will help many students do better than
they would have done without it, and will give them an indication of how they are doing and
how they can do better before they are formally evaluated. J udgments about the student as
Chapter Eight -99
a person should be l<ept separate from judgments about the student's progress toward
achieving learning objectives.
Learning Orientation and Grade Orientation
Teachers should keep in mind that students differ in terms of their individual learning
and grade orientations, and thus they will respond differently to both evaluative and
descriptive feedback. An individual student might be high in both learning and grade
orientation, low in both, or high in one and not the other. Discouraging experiences with a
particular type, or types, of students can sometimes cause teachers to make evaluation
decisions that stray from objective- based assessment.
Learning-oriented (LO) students are those who see school as a place to encounter
new information, to test out ideas, and to learn personally relevant things. Grade-oriented
(GO) students see school as a place in which they must do well to get the rewards
associated with a good report card or transcript.
Learning Orientation
Hiqh Low
Grade
Orientation
High
High LO
High GO
Low LO
High GO
Low
High LO
Low GO
Low LO
Log Go
Figure 8.1 Classification of Students by Learning Orientation and Grade
Orientation
Students who are high in both learning orientation and grade orientation would seem
to be a teacher's ideal, to want to make learning personally relevant but also to perform
well. They are, in reality, often the students with the highest test anxiety and a strong need
to validate their intrinsic interest in learning with extrinsic indicators that tell them they are
doing OK. High LO/High GO students are likely to be very responsive to all the feedback
Chapter Eight -100
they can get. Diminishing their counterproductive level of concern over evaluation through
clear objectives, information on assessment, and opportunities to obtain formative feedback
should help to keep their anxiety over grades from getting in the way of exploiting their
desire to learn.
Students who are low in both learning orientation and grade orientation often
frustrate teachers, who were seldom Low LO/Low GOs themselves. Neither grades nor
learning seems to motivate these students and they do not appear to be responsive to any
kind of feedback. They are the students for whom the lower end of a normative grading
scale seems to have been invented. We do not have a great deal of difficulty with the
dispassionate assignment of low grades to this group.
Students who are learning oriented but not a grade oriented are likely to be involved
students who are a joy to teach but sometimes a challenge to evaluate. High LO/Low GO
students may be very selective about the descriptive feedback to which they attend. They
may be willing to talk about Guatemala for an hour, but not willing to write the four-page
paper through which knowledge of Guatemala is to be assessed. They may be disinterested
in working back through the objectives they missed on a formative evaluation if they think
they've already learned what they want to learn about a topic. These students challenge us
to look carefully at our instructional objectives and measurements. If we believe that they
are bypassing objectives that are truly important to their learning, we need to communicate
clearly why mastering those objectives is of value to them. If we find it difficult to do so, we
should reevaluate our assessment priorities. High LO/Low GO students can be a good reality
check regarding the relative emphasis placed on lower level versus higher level cognitive
learning objectives.
Students who are grade oriented but not learning oriented view all aspects of the
classroom in terms of their effects on grades. They will also be selective in their attention to
descriptive feedback, ignoring any suggestions not related to evaluation. They are more
likely to cheat. Low LO/High GO students are the ones we want to "curve down" to punish
them. If our instructional objectives and measurements are solid, they will learn in spite of
themselves and our desire to change their attitude should not become a part of our
assessing their achievement.
In summary, feedback is an essential component of the instructional communication
process. It tells teachers how students are interpreting their messages and responding to
their instructional procedures. It also tells students how they are doing, and how they can
do better. The evaluation component of instructional assessment should be regarded as a
communicative event in which teachers strive to maximize shared interpretations of the
Chapter Eight -101
meaning of each grade option; inowever, opportunities for feedbacl< sinould not be limited to
summative assessments. Ratiner, tine process of assessment sinould be an ongoing one in
winicin teaciners worl< toward developing an interactive flow of communication that regularly
provides and solicits formative, descriptive information about progress toward the
achievement of instructional goals.
Competition and Cooperation in Learning Environments
"If you succeed, then we succeed" should be the catchphrase of schools. This is the
foundation of a cooperative learning model. However, within the American culture,
competition is regarded as a means of bringing out the best in people, of making them
strive to put forth that extra effort that will distinguish them from the pack. Our society
values competition, and reveres winners. Competition is said to build character and
self-esteem. These outcomes of competition, however, are primarily reserved for those who
come out on top. What about those students who
don't ever come out on top in our schools?
How Competition Worlcs
Kohn (1986a, 1986b, 1987) suggests there are two types of competition: structural
competition and intentional competition. The first refers to a situation, or an environment,
the second to an attitude. When our classrooms are structurally competitive, they are
characterized by what Kohn calls "mutually exclusive goal attainment" (MEGA). This means
students are compared to one another in such a way that only one of them can be the best;
earning the best grade or getting one of some scarce allotments of A or B grades means
that another student has been shut out from achieving that goal. Sometimes structural
competitions do not require any interaction between the competitors; winning is the result
of someone's subjective judgment. This would be the case when students compete for
admission to a college or when bowlers compete in a tournament. At other times,
structural competitions require that one contestant make the other one fail. For example, in
playing tennis a major part of one's strategy is to intentionally lob shots that the other
player will miss.
Intentional competition is an individual's internal competitiveness. Individuals who
are intentionally competitive may compete even in situations that are structurally
noncompetitive. Kohn uses the example of the person who arrives at a party intent on
proving that he or she is the wittiest, most charming person there even though no one is
Chapter Eight -102
offering prizes for wit and cinarm, and even tinougin none of tine otiner party goers inas given
mucin tinougint to tine matter. Psyclnoiogists iabei tinese peopie as neurotic.
WInen intentionaiiy competitive people are placed in structurally competitive
situations, even those which do not inherently require interaction between competitors, they
may expend considerable effort on not only doing their best but on trying to assure others
do not do better. In tennis, this is playing dirty. In bowling, it might lead to greasing the
shoes of the opponent or stealing her or his ball before the tournament finals. In school, it
might mean tearing the pages out of an encyclopedia so other students cannot find
information they need, or sabotaging other students' chemistry experiments to win top
honors and get admitted to medical school.
When individuals who are not intentionally competitive are placed in structurally
competitive situations, they are sometimes surprised to find that they have been ranked
and rewarded -- or, more likely, punished -- when they didn't realize they were supposed to
be trying to win. Sometimes they choose to drop out from the situation, literally or
psychologically, because they cannot comfortably engage in the competition. Sometimes
they find themselves unable not to compete, but find doing so unpleasant and stressful.
Even if they win in the end, their affective response to the entire situation is negative and
the reward is devalued.
Intentional competitiveness is learned behavior, particularly that which is
situation-specific. Human beings may by nature have an inborn inclination to strive for
goals, some individuals more so than others, but the choice of whether to channel that drive
into cooperation with or competition against others is a learned response. Forcing children
to compete in structurally competitive environments has often been defended as a means of
helping then learn to compete effectively in later life, of giving them a competitive
orientation or "competitive edge." There is evidence, however, that reinforcing intentional
competitiveness may be more detrimental than helpful to their future success.
Since the early 1980's, researchers at the University of Texas have been studying
the relationship between achievement and such personality traits as orientation toward
work, preference for challenging tasks (mastery), and competitiveness. In one study,
achievement was measured by the number of times scientists' work was cited by their
colleagues. Another used the same measure but focused on psychologists. A third study was
of business people, with their achievement measured by salary. A fourth analyzed 1,300
undergraduate students (male and female), using grade point average to measure
achievement. Three other studies measured achievement in terms of fifth and sixth-graders'
achievement test scores, and the performance of airline pilots and airline reservation
Chapter Eight -103
agents. In all cases -- seven different studies with very different subjects and achievement
measures -- an inverse relationship was found between competitiveness and achievement.
In other words, the more intentionally competitive individuals had lower achievement levels.
Kohn (1986a) notes that the simplest way to understand why competition does not
promote excellence is because trying to do well and trying to beat others are two different
things. He offers the example of the child sitting in class, waving her arm wildly to attract
the teacher's attention, crying "Ooooh! Ooooh! Pick me! Pick me!" When called upon she
seems confused and asks "What was the question again?" Her attention was on being
recognized over her peers, not on the subject matter. In addition to misdirecting efforts
from task-oriented mastery toward comparative mastery, competition depends on extrinsic
motivators. When the extrinsic rewards of winning are not present, are removed, or are
unattainable there is little incentive to achieve.
How Cooperation Works
Structural cooperation means that we have to coordinate our efforts because I can
succeed only if you succeed. Reward is based on collective performance. A cooperative
classroom means more than students sitting together or talking together or even sharing
materials. It means that personal success depends on others' success and therefore that
each student has an incentive for the other(s) to succeed (Kohn, 1986b). Johnson and
Johnson (1987) call this "positive interdependence." Each student depends on and is
accountable to the others.
The Johnsons suggest several ways of encouraging positive interdependence. A
single product may be required from a group, and a single grade awarded the group. While
those of us schooled in competitive atmospheres are quick to ask whether students will
accept this practice, the Johnsons note that several studies have confirmed the fact that
students who are accustomed to structural cooperation believe that a single group grade is
the only logical way to evaluate their efforts. Giving a group grade makes everyone
responsible for each other. More able students help those that are less able.
To make sure no one in the group sits back and lets the others do the work, the
Johnsons suggest reinforcing "individual accountability" by periodically picking one student
at random in each group to explain an answer or take a test for the group. This, of course,
is a potentially highly destructive strategy, which could cause terror in the heart of any
highly communication apprehensive or test anxious student. Thus, if "individual
accountability" is important, some other way of accomplishing that objective is needed,
such as peer evaluation.
Chapter Eight -104
The best size for a learning group will vary, but in most situations the recommended
number is two or three. More complex tasks, with students who are used to working
cooperatively, may be suitable for groups up to six -- but it takes experience to make the
larger groups work smoothly. Sometimes, when the members of a group have mastered an
assignment, they might look for another group to help until everyone understands the
lesson. The Johnsons have concluded from their research that intergroup competition is not
particularly beneficial in enhancing an individual group's cohesion or achievement, and that
it is best to encourage cooperation between groups as well as within them.
Working collaboratively with other students is particularly helpful for low-and
medium-ability students, but high-ability students can also benefit. The Johnsons note that
considerable research has shown that high achievers working in cooperative groups do at
least as well, and often better, than their counterparts working competitively or
independently. Their explanation: "The behavior that correlates most highly with
achievement in groups is giving explanations, not getting them" (Kohn, 1987, p. 55).
Many studies have shown that extrinsic motivators simply do not make us perform
as well as we do when we find an activity intrinsically rewarding. In addition, several studies
have indicated that people with high achievement motivation do not perform well unless
extrinsic motivation has been minimized. Cooperative learning is based on the principle that
the motivation to accomplish a task is enhanced when we are reasonably sure that we will
ultimately be successful at it, and that the sum of a group is greater than its parts.
Structurally cooperative classrooms are intended to maximize the achievement of more
students and to encourage them to work for results rather than the satisfaction of feeling
they are better than someone else.
Cooperative vs. Competitive Outcomes
More than 20 of the Johnsons' studies, and hundreds conducted by others over the
years, have matched cooperative learning against competitive and individualized learning
models (C. Ames & R. Ames, 1990; Covington & Omelich, 1984c). In studies of student
achievement, the overwhelming conclusion has been that the cooperative approach is at
least as effective as -- and very often superior to -- other models, regardless of age group,
ability, subject matter, or task. In addition, in 35 of their own 37 studies on interpersonal
attraction, the Johnsons found convincing evidence that students liked one another more
when they worked cooperatively in the classroom -- findings, they say, that cut across their
meta-analysis of 98 similar studies. These findings were particularly striking in terms of
students' acceptance of disabled peers, and those from different racial and ethnic
Chapter Eight -105
backgrounds. Students who work together have a higher regard for school, for the subject
matter (including the way girls feel about science), and for their teachers. Their
self-confidence is enhanced.
Evidence from outside the classroom supports these conclusions. A study compared
two groups of interviewers in an employment agency. One group was made up of intensely
competitive interviewers who were extremely concerned about personal productivity and
personal achievement. As a result, they were intently suspicious and hostile toward one
another and often hoarded job notices instead of posting them so that others could not steal
the leads. The other group worked cooperatively; they were apparently less concerned with
individual success and advancement and routinely shared information and lead. Members of
the second group ended up filling significantly more jobs. They also enjoyed their social
cohesiveness and, thus, their jobs more.
While intentional competitiveness was the destructive factor in that study, structural
competitiveness has been shown to yield similar results. In one study, young girls were
asked to make "silly" collages, some competing for prizes and some not. All the collages
were judged independently by seven artists, who rated those made by the competing girls
as significantly less creative than those by the noncompeting girls. Competitive situations
have been shown to be a distinct cause of anxiety. Anticipation of failure, especially when it
is combined with memories of previous failures, can create a disabling level of arousal --
one that directs attention toward the fear rather than the task. Competitive stress tends to
make many people want to avoid failure more than it makes them want to maximize
success; thus, a "safe road" is perceived as preferable to attempting anything too
adventurous or creative. A student who, structurally or intentionally, is driven by preserving
a superior grade point average will avoid exploring courses in which he or she may not
succeed. An Olympic skater who has the lead going into the final competition will
downgrade triple axles to doubles to avoid losing points with a fall.
A different kind of anxiety that has been associated with competitiveness relates to a
fear of winning rather than a fear of losing. I n this situation, individuals might choose not to
compete, or intentionally do worse at an activity than they might do in a noncompetitive
situation, because they feel guilty for doing better than others, or have a particular fear that
those they beat will become hostile toward them. It is common for teachers to see evidence
of this in the classroom, when able students slack off because they want to lose their "nerd"
identity to fit in with their peers.
Other research has found that competition can cause people to feel they are not the
source of, or in control of, what happens to them. They thus move toward an external locus
Chapter Eight -106
of control and are more likely to attribute what happens in their lives to fate than to its
being related to their own behaviors. A 1981 study of 800 high school students found a
strong correlation between positive attitude toward competitive situations and dependence
on evaluation and performance- based assessments of personal worth. Far from having
higher self-esteem, the way the competitive students viewed themselves was inordinately
dependent on how well they did at certain tasks and on what others thought of them.
Studies of the interpersonal/relational effects of competition have shown that
children in competitive situations experience more feelings of envy than those in
cooperative environments. A study of first graders found that students rated high in
competitiveness by their teachers expressed less empathy for same-aged children who were
pictured as happy, sad, angry, or fearful. Competitiveness also contributes to distrust
among students. It has been suggested that this distrust and its coincidental hostility are
factors in increasing the incidence of aggressive acts between students. On the other
hand, studies of the interpersonal/relational effects of cooperative learning have concluded
that students perceive they are receiving encouragement and support from their peers in
cooperative groups, that they show more sensitivity to the needs of others and are more
pleasant to one another, and that communication among students are not only more
frequent but rated as more effective (students say they have less trouble communicating
with and understanding one another). In one study, fifth and sixth-graders who participated
in cooperative groups were much less upset by interpersonal conflict and arguing than those
who had not. In general, low, medium, and high-ability students perform better on
comprehension tests when they have learned cooperatively; they also express greater
feelings of peer acceptance and support and a greater willingness to value opposing points
of view.
Kohn (1987) observes that the idea that children ought to compete in school so they
get used to losing is based on a highly flawed assumption that depriving children is the best
way to prepare them for the rude shocks of life. This hypothesis cannot be empirically
confirmed or refuted, but its converse is far more humane: it is our unconditional
acceptance in our early years, and a sense of security, that helps us manage problems we
face later. Even if we grant some usefulness to learning to experience failure, it is not
necessary that it involve losing in competition. One can fall short of one's own expectations
and develop the virtues of discipline and tenacity without the necessity of getting the
messages of inferiority that come from being judged primarily in terms of not how well we
do but how well other people do.
Chapter Eight -107
What then can we do? We can help children recognize and build their competencies
and strengths. We can help children learn individual accountability and group accountability.
We can help children learn that competition doesn't have to mean hurting or beating up
another child. We can help children learn that diversely but equally matched teammates are
good partners for learning. We can show children that through cooperative learning there is
increased student motivation and learning. We can show children that communicating and
interacting with classmates can be a positive, not a negative experience. Lastly, we can
communicate to children that assistance, cooperation, and caring, either formally or
informally, can assist in learning and effective communication in the classroom environment
for all involved.
References and Recommended Readings
Ames, C. (1981). Competitive versus cooperative reward structure: The influence of
individual and group performance factors on achievement attributions and affect.
American Educational Research Journal, 18, 273-288.
Ames, C. (1984). Competitive, cooperative, and individualistic goal structures: A cognitive-
motivational analysis. In R. Ames and C. Ames (Eds.), Research on motivation in
education: Vol. 1, Student motivation. (Pp. 177-207). New York: Academic Press.
Ames, C, & Ames, R. (1978). Thrill of victory and agony of defeat: Children's self and
interpersonal evaluations in competitive and noncompetitive learning environments.
Journal of Research and Development in Education, 12, 79-81.
Ames, C, & Ames, R. (1981). Competitive versus individualistic goal structures: The
salience of past performance information for causal attributions and affect, y ourna/ of
Educational Psychology, 73, 411-418.
Ames, C, & Ames, R. (1984). Goal structures and motivation. Elementary School Journal,
85, 39-52.
Ames, C, & Ames, R. (1990). Motivation and effective teaching. In L. Friedman (Ed.). Good
instruction: What teachers can do in the classroom. North Central Regional Education
Laboratory.
Braskamp, L.A., Brandenberg, D.C. & Ory, J .C. (1984). Evaluating teaching effectiveness.
Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
Brophy, J. (1987c). Synthesis of research on strategies for motivating students to learn.
Educational Leadership, 45, 40-48.
Chapter Eight -108
Covington, M., & Omelich, C. (1984c). Task-oriented versus competitive learning structures:
jviotivational and performance consequences. Journal of Educational Psychology, 7,
1038-1050.
Gronlund, N. (1985). Measurement and evaluation in teaching. New Yorl<: JVlacmillan.
Joinnson, D.W. & Joinnson, R.T. (1987). Learning together and alone: Cooperative,
competitive and individualistic learning. Englewood Cliffs, NJ : Prentice- Hall.
Kibler, R.J., Cegala, D.J., Watson, K.W., Barker, L.L. & Miles, D.T. (1981). Objectives for
instruction and evaluation. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Kohn, A. (1986a, September). How to succeed without even vying. Psychology Today,
22-28.
Kohn, A. (1986b). No contest: The case against competition. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.
Kohn, A. (1987, October). It's hard to get left out of a pair. Psychology Today, 53-57.
Mager, R.F. (1973). Measuring instructional intent. Belmont, CA: Fearon.
Milton, O. & Edgerly, J .W. (1976). The testing and grading of students. New Rochelle, NY:
Change.
Milton, O., Pollio, H.R. & Eison, J .A. (1986). Making sense of college grades. San Francisco:
Jossey-Bass.
Natriello, G. & Dornbusch, S.M. (1984). Teacher evaluative standards and student effort.
New York: Longman.
Richmond, V. P. (1990). Continuing education. In J. A. Daly, G. W. Friedrich, & A. L.
Vangelisti (Eds.). Teaching communication: Theory, research, and methods, (pp.
417-425). Hillsdale, NJ : Lawrence Eribaum.
Richmond, V. P., & McCroskey, J. C. (1992). Power in the classroom: Communication,
control, and concern. (Eds.). Hillsdale, NJ : Lawrence Eribaum.
Rubin, R.B. (1990). Evaluating the product. In J .A. Daly, G.W. Friedrich & A.L. Vangelisti
(Eds.), Teaching communication: Theory, research, and methods (pp. 379-401).
Hillsdale, NJ : Lawrence Eribaum.
Stipek, D. J . (1993). Motivation to learn: From theory to practice. (2nd. Ed.),
Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
Terwilliger, J .S. (1971). Assigning grades to students. Glenview, IL: Scott Foresman.
Chapter Eight -109
TRADITIONAL AND MASTERY
LEARNING SYSTEMS
Chapter Nine Objectives
1. Identify the components that comprise the learning environment.
2. Briefly compare the merits of the mastery and traditional learning systems.
3. Give the advantages and problems of working with the modified mastery system.
If learning is not taking place in their classrooms, good teachers look for ways and
methods to change the instructional communication process. During the course of her or his
career, a teacher makes thousands of curricular planning decisions: How should I approach
this unit? How will I evaluate the students' achievement? What can I do about
underachievers? Is it time to switch gears and try a different instructional strategy? Should I
stay with this unit for another week or is it time to move on? At the heart of these decisions
are the teacher's basic assumptions about the central goals of teaching.
While we do not wish to transform this chapter into a dissertation on the philosophy
of education, we do need to recognize there are two very different positions on the function
of teachers that have strong adherents in today's society. One view is that teachers teach
content and the other is that teachers teach students. The first view sees teachers, first and
foremost, as subject-matter experts. The second sees teachers, first and foremost, as
information and communication managers.
The content view holds that the primary function of teaching is to make it possible
for students to access the content knowledge available in the given field. This is a
sender-oriented view. The teacher selects what the student should know and sees to it that
it is presented to the student in one or more forms (textbook, film, videotape, lectures,
class discussion, etc.). It is assumed that all students should have the opportunity to learn
the information, but some will have intellectual limitations and others motivational
limitations which will prevent them from learning all that is available. The fault for failure in
this system rests with the receiver, the student. The information is available, but if the
student is not bright enough to learn it, or is too lazy to do so, then the student has failed.
The student view holds that the primary function of teaching is to make it possible
for all students to achieve objectives set for student learning. The teacher is still presumed
to select what the student should know, but he or she is also expected to develop
communication systems that will insure that student will learn the material. It is assumed
Chapter Nine - 110
that all students can achieve all learning objectives if the teacher monitors and modifies the
learning process appropriately. The fault for failure in this system rests with the sender, the
teacher. The student can learn the information unless the teacher is not bright enough to
develop an appropriate method of communicating with the student, or the teacher is too
lazy to do so. Students don't fail. Teachers do.
Adherents of the first view see the supporters of the second as the leftover hippies
and humanists from the 1960s and early 1970s who brought us the open-curriculum,
self-disclosive rap-session, everything- is-acceptable, fuzzies- instead - of-content brand of
teaching. Since these so-called "student-oriented teachers" are afraid of being branded as
failures; they make sure the students can't fail by never letting anyone know in advance
what it is expected the students will learn. Adherents of the second view see the supporters
of the first as Nazi-like, uncaring, anti-innovation, back- to- basics traditionalists who have
opposed all educational change since 1800. Since these so-called "content experts" are
afraid of being branded as unqualified, they make sure they are only held responsible for
presenting content, so if they have presented it they have done their job.
As you might suspect, we are not advocates of either extreme orientation. Both
approaches to instruction have positive aspects, and both have drawbacks. And there is
ground between the extremes.
Traditional Education Systems
Traditional educational systems often tend to be subject-centered. Course planning is
oriented toward the material to be covered and achievement is primarily the individual
student's responsibility.
If the teacher is following a communication-oriented instructional model within a
traditional system, he or she will set the learning objectives at the outset. Having set
objectives or goals primarily for what the teacher should be doing -- covering a prescribed
body of information -- and preassessing students' general ability levels, a given instructional
strategy that is likely to be the most effective and efficient for most students is selected.
The teacher's role is largely that of an information-dispenser. Periodic assessments (usually
tests or quizzes) are given to determine how students are doing in absorbing information,
but the teacher, and the student, almost always moves onto the next topic regardless of
performance on the assessment. Grades are usually determined by some averaging
procedure, with the student's performance often evaluated by comparing it with that of
other students. In many cases it is assumed, or even mandated, that grade distributions
should approximate the bell-shaped curve of a statistically "normal" distribution so that
Chapter Nine - 111
superior students can be distinguished from very good students, average students,
not-so-good students, and tinose wino will be required to repeat the course or the school
year.
Students leaving a course of instruction in the traditional educational model will have
a wide range of competencies. Some will have done very well and will feel good about the
school, the subject, the teacher, and themselves. Some will have done very poorly and will
feel unhappy about everything associated with the subject(s) they have studied, including
themselves. Teachers will agonize over whether a student has performed well enough to
pass or whether he or she would benefit by being recycled through another run of the same
information and experiences.
When educators become distraught over the undesirable affective outcomes of
traditional subject- centered teaching, they have historically reacted with a shift toward
learner-centered curricula, experimenting with open-classroom and open-learning models in
which spontaneity and student interests replace attention to subject matter and traditional,
comparative standards for evaluation. Invariably, when performance scores on standardized
achievement tests fall and someone points out that the United States is falling behind in the
race for space, or in its place in the world economy, the educational pendulum has swung
back to the traditional system. It is a system we understand. It is compatible with the
broadly held assumption that wide variability in student achievement is natural and
inevitable. It communicates achievement to parents, employers, higher education admission
officials, and students in terms they have come to expect. It plays off of the
subject-centered emphasis in teacher training, particularly at the secondary and higher
education levels. It allows us to efficiently manage the logistics of putting a large number of
students in a small number of classes and bringing those classes to closure on a prescribed
schedule. It is a system in which the majority of those who teach can teach as they were
taught.
Mastery Learning
Mastery learning more fully reflects a communication oriented approach to
instruction in which instruction focuses on the individual student. In its purist form course
planning is oriented toward the achievement of desired objectives that are operationalized
in behavioral terms. In other words, teachers decide exactly what they want their students
to know, what they want them to be able to do, and/or how they want them to feel as a
result of a period of instruction, and also specify how they will assess whether or not those
goals have been achieved. They assume that students have varied competencies at the
Chapter Nine - 112
beginning of a course or scinool year and individually assess each student's starting point.
Instructional strategies are then selected and designed for each student's individual
competencies and learning style. The teacher's role is primarily that of a "learning manager"
who uses periodic formative assessments to check how each student is progressing toward
the stated goals. If problems are detected, the student can recycle through a component of
the unit or course at any time, often with the information presented via an alternative
instructional strategy. "Grades" are restricted to an indication that the student has indeed
mastered the objective at hand; her or his performance is evaluated by comparing it with
the specified standard of achievement rather than to what other students do. Some
students may move faster than others but no one is classified as better than anyone else
since, in the end, everyone masters one unit before moving onto the next.
Bloom, one of the primary proponents of mastery learning, has found that the
average tutored student learns more than do 98 % of students taught in regular classes,
and that 90 % of tutored students attain performance levels reached by only the top 20 %
of students in regular classes. Thus, he has concluded that what one student can learn,
nearly all students can learn; the wide differences in student achievement in traditional
education systems are, from Bloom's perspective, not so much a result of innate differences
in learning ability as they are a result of instruction that is ineffective for some students. A
tutoring relationship is one in which the process of tutor-student communication is
inherently personalized, in which the goal of achievement is met by ongoing assessment of
what is working, what is not being understood, and what needs to be re-taught in a
different way. It is student-centered in that affective outcomes are important, but it is
instructor-driven in that the student is enabled to meet goals rather than able to determine
them.
Bloom acknowledges that schools cannot afford to offer tutoring as a primary mode
of instruction; however, he believes that mastery learning can approximate the results of
tutoring. In an interview with Chance (1987), Bloom explained a classroom mastery
learning model as follows: The teacher instructs the class in more or less the usual way,
although more active student involvement and reinforcement of their contributions are
recommended. At the end of an instructional unit, or about every two weeks, the teacher
gives a "formative test" to assess the need for "corrective instruction." The test is not
graded, but provides the teacher with information that identifies points that many of the
students have not yet mastered. This material is then re-taught to the class as a whole,
ideally using different techniques to get the idea across.
Chapter Nine - 113
The students then break into groups of two or three for 20 to 30 minutes, so that
they can help one another on points they missed on the formative test. This process
provides reinforcement for students who understand concepts and allows them to explain
what they have learned to other students, often using an approach the teacher has not used
or even considered. If the group gets stuck, they can call on the teacher, though Bloom
notes they usually are able to work problems out on their own. Some students who need
help beyond the group work are assigned supplementary activities that presents information
in yet another form (workbook exercises, text readings, video tapes, etc.). According to
Bloom, it usually takes these students no more than an hour or two to complete the work
necessary to catch up.
The class is then ready for an evaluative test, which is similar to but not identical to
the formative test. In a pure mastery learning system, students who have not yet mastered
the unit are recycled through the system until they do master it, with unlimited
opportunities for working through the material until they can complete the evaluative test at
a preset level of accuracy. In a modified mastery system, which will be discussed in the
next section of this chapter, trials may be limited. In either case students either pass or do
not pass the unit; their relative performance is not evaluated in comparison with other
students' performance on the evaluative test.
Not every student does master every unit, but studies have consistently shown that
mastery students learn more than about 85 % of those taught in the traditional way. About
70 % of mastery students attain levels reached by only the top 20 % of students in
traditional classrooms. Studies have also indicated that students who learn in mastery
systems are better able to transfer material to other contexts, that mastery learning helps
students learn how to learn through its presentation of material in a variety of formats, and
that mastery approaches have substantial affective learning payoffs with students reporting
greater interest in and more positive attitudes toward subjects taught through mastery.
Bloom and his graduate students have also studied the use of the mastery approach
in the preassessment phase of the instructional process. Students in second-year algebra
and French classes who were given a preassessment test at the beginning of the year to
determine what they recalled from the first-year course, and then re-taught the specific
skills they lacked using the mastery learning corrective method, did far better on the first
unit of the new course than did those in comparable classes that were offered only a general
review of first-year concepts prior to beginning the first unit of the second-year class. When
the prerequisite training was combined with a continuation of the mastery approach in the
Chapter Nine - 114
second class, the average student scored higher than did 95 % of those in a regular class
after three months of studying the same material.
Mastery learning is a communication-oriented approach to instruction, but it takes
time. Teachers will "cover" less but more students will be successful in mastering the
chosen material. Such has been found to be the case with all effective communication
systems. It seems we always have the option of sending more, but having receivers who
receive less; or sending less and having receivers who receive more of it. If a smattering of
knowledge is all that is needed by the student, as in so-called "core curriculum courses" in
many colleges, the traditional system certainly can accomplish that objective more
efficiently than the mastery system. But, if one is concerned about teaching a pilot to land a
plane without crashing, most passengers pray that he or she was taught by the mastery
system!
Modified i^lastery Learning
One of the cruel lessons in life is that communication cost money, and the more
effective that communication, the more it costs. Politicians are forced out of campaigns for
office by lack of money for TV and personal appearances. Companies are forced out of
business by high costs of marketing. And while advocates of the mastery learning system
would like to see it replace the traditional educational system, given the pressing economic
realities in most school systems, most teachers must teach their entire careers within the
parameters of a traditional school system. Students must be ready to pass on to the next
level of the system on schedule, and teachers are expected to assign evaluative grades.
Pure mastery learning allows students unlimited time to achieve learning objectives
and evaluates them only to the extent of whether they have achieved an objective or
whether they need more time to master it. However, many of the advantages of mastery
learning can be retained within a modified mastery learning model of instruction, which has
the advantage of its ability to be practically implemented within the currently established
traditional system.
Two modifications characterize modified mastery: a limitation on the amount of time
given to students to demonstrate mastery of instructional objectives and in the number of
opportunities students have to demonstrate mastery. Students might be given a limited
time to master a given unit of instruction, or be allowed to recycle at their own paces
throughout a semester (or quarter or year), with the expectation that they will complete all
the units of study for that term by its completion. Students might also be given a limited
Chapter Nine - 115
number of chances to improve performance on a given unit, so tinat after tine second or
tinird cycle of teacining all students move onto the next unit of instruction.
While these modifications mean that some students will need to move on without
mastering some objectives, the likelihood is high that most students will achieve more than
they would in a traditional classroom. The sequencing of units becomes particularly
important in a modified mastery model. Teachers might cluster basic and more advanced
units within each completion time block, so that students who need more time to master
objectives are being introduced to -- and given time to master -- all of the basic concepts
they will be expected to have when they pass on into the next grade or the next level
course, while students who master the basic concepts more quickly can move onto working
with more complex enrichment objectives.
The issue of grading is a tough one for teachers who have embraced the concept of
mastery learning. When a dichotomous grading system, such as pass-fail or
satisfactory- unsatisfactory, is allowed there are fewer problems than when a graduated
index, such as A, B, C, D, F, is mandated. One way to translate mastery learning
performance into grades is to set levels in which the number of objectives that are mastered
is translated into a grade scale. This process assumes that all objectives are of equal
complexity and/or importance, or that students are not able to move onto enrichment
objectives until they have mastered those considered most basic to the unit or course --
otherwise, a student could theoretically earn a superior grade for having failed to master
only a few objectives, even though those missed objectives are the ones the teacher
believes are the most important to grasping the essence of the unit.
Another way is to classify the objectives in a unit cluster into basic and advanced
levels, with a standard that students must master all or most of the basic objectives to
obtain an average grade and that students must master all or most of the basic objectives
and a preset percentage of the more advanced objectives to obtain above average grades.
In either case, it is helpful to communicate to students, their parents, and others who will
interpret the grades exactly what each letter designation means. It is also mandatory to
remember that students must be evaluated against objective standards rather than in
comparison to one another.
The logistics of implementing a modified mastery learning model can be challenging
but highly rewarding. Following the first formative evaluation. Bloom's suggestions for
whole-class involvement can be followed to re- teach concepts or skills with which many
students had trouble. Teachers might develop independent study materials or direct
students who are quick to master basic objectives to resources with which they can work
Chapter Nine - 116
while other students work more directly with the teacher on recycling through problematic
objectives. Or, projects and assignments that address sequentially higher-level objectives
might be developed and offered to students, as they are ready for them (not all objectives
are best demonstrated through the use of tests and quizzes). Since the pure mastery model
is already being modified to accommodate the constraints of a traditional education system,
teachers should not feel bound by emulating someone else's version of modified mastery.
The most important aspect of the system is its process-centered orientation, its provisions
for examining how students are doing, and its emphasis on working out ways to help them
do better during the course of instruction rather than waiting to the end to see how they did
and promptly moving on.
Because we believe that teaching and learning is a communicative process, we find
much merit in the communication-oriented approach to instruction. This view focuses on the
interaction between teachers and students and on analyzing the success of the instruction in
accommodating its goals to a maximum number of students. As a communication-oriented
approach, mastery learning, or modified mastery learning, encompasses a humane
instructional view while acknowledging the teacher's role in setting the instructional agenda,
and in helping students master a particular subject area curriculum. Thus, both learning and
affect are treated as relevant outcomes of instruction, and both are likely to be enhanced.
References and Recommended Readings
Bandura, A. (1969). Principles of beliavior modification. New York: Holt, Rinehart, and
Winston.
Bloom, A.D. (1987). Tlie closing of the American mind: How higher education has failed
democracy and impoverished the souls of today's students. New York: Simon and
Schuster.
Bloom, B.S. (1981). All our children learning: A primer for parents, teachers, and other
educators. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Bloom, B.S. (1984, June/July). The 2-Sigma problem: The search for methods of group
instruction as effective as one-to-one tutoring. Educational Researcher, 4-16.
Bloom, B.S. (1985) . Developing talent in young people. New York: Ballantine.
Chance, P. (1987, April). Master of Mastery. Psychology Today, 43-46.
Elkind, D. (1979). Child development and education, a Piagetian perspective. New York:
Oxford University Press.
Guskey, T. (1990). Cooperative mastery learning strategies. The Elementary School journal,
91, 33-42.
Chapter Nine - 117
Hirsch, E.D., Jr. (1987). Cultural literacy: What every American needs to know. Boston:
Houghton Mifflin.
JVlcCroslcey, J . C. (1998). An introduction to communication in the classroom (2"^ Ed.).
Acton, JVIA: Tapestry Press.
Popinam, W.J. & Bal<er, E.L. (1970). Systematic instruction. Englewood Cliffs, NJ :
Prentice-Hall.
Richmond, V. P. (1990). Communication in the classroom: Power and motivation.
Communication Education, 39, 181-195.
Rogers, C. (1969). Freedom to learn: A view of what education might become. New York:
Merrill.
Rogers, C. (1983). Freedom to learn for the eighties. Columbus, OH: Merrill.
Shor, I. & Friere, P. (1989). A pedagogy for liberation: Dialogues on transforming education.
South Hadley, MA: Bergin and Garvey.
Chapter Nine - 118
STUDENT Ml SBEHAVI OR AND
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
Chapter Ten Objectives
1. Define misbehavior in tine classroom from a communication perspective.
2. Discuss five reasons winy student misbeinavior.
3. List tine four categories of beinavior and provide an example behavior for each
category.
4. What are the causes of bullying? What do bullies achieve through their bullying?
5. Who is most likely to be a victim?
6. What should teachers and adults do to prevent and/or squelch bullying?
7. Discuss how to increase appropriate student behavior and how to decrease
inappropriate student behavior.
8. Discuss the how, when, and outcomes of using punishment in the classroom.
9. Provide five guidelines for classroom management.
A well-managed classroom is one where productive interaction is encouraged,
students grant power to the teacher, immediacy and affect are high, and discipline is rarely
needed. For years, experienced teachers have targeted student misbehavior as the number
one communication and affective problem in the instructional environment. In fact,
experienced classroom managers think student misbehavior and student apathies may be
the most significant problems faced by instructors today. Apathy is considered by most
teachers to be a discipline problem. Books, articles, and papers have been written
attempting to find "the solution" to student misbehavior in the classroom. This chapter does
not attempt to suggest there is "one best method" of managing or controlling disruptive
students. It does, however, purport to provide several strategies which instructors might
use when managing disruptive students.
By "student misbehavior" we mean student behaviors, both verbal and nonverbal,
which interfere with her or his learning or another student's learning. By "disruptive," we
mean the student who is behaviorally and communicatively disruptive, either in a verbal or
nonverbal manner, and disrupts the classroom so learning and on-task times are inhibited
or restricted. In other words, the disruptive student is the student who misbehaves and
prevents her or himself and other students from learning and spending time on the task.
Chapter Ten - 119
We, in no way, include violent, out-of-control students with criminal tendencies or intentions
in the definition of the "disruptive student." We are referring to the "normal, pain in the
neck, disruptive student" who can make a teacher's life very uncomfortable and cause other
students to feel uncomfortable in the classroom setting. The extremely violent, criminal
students need very different behavior control techniques which will not be covered in this
chapter.
We know that whenever students spend less time on-task, their learning is impacted
in a negative way. We know that when learning is disrupted, then retention is impacted in a
negative way. Therefore, we need to keep in mind that "communication and learning are
truly interdependent" (Hurt, Scott & McCroskey, 1978, p. 28). Students are taught by their
instructors to communicate appropriate or desired classroom behaviors or classroom
manners. Most students learn not to communicate the inappropriate or undesirable
classroom behaviors. Often students elect not to communicate the desired behaviors which
their instructors have taught them. The students who do not communicate the desired
verbal and nonverbal behaviors are viewed as disruptive students or discipline problems.
Even students who seem to resist learning the appropriate communication classroom
behaviors and seem apathetic are viewed as potential classroom problems. Teachers then
decide what communication strategies should be employed to change, modify, or alter a
student's disruptive verbal or nonverbal communication behavior.
Lastly, communication, learning, and affect are highly correlated. The more a student
communicates in a positive way or behaves in a positive way, the more learning will take
place, and the higher the affect between student and teacher. The less a student
communicates in a positive way or behaves in a positive way, the less learning will take
place, and the lower the affect between student and teacher. What, then, causes students
to be disruptive or misbehave.
Why Students Misbehave
Many student misbehaviors are communication directed. The students want to be
noticed, recognized, or attended to by the teacher. Hence, many of our students engage in
disruptive misbehaviors of the highest magnitude to gain our attention. Much of their
misbehavior is of a verbal or nonverbal form.
Attention
One of the major reasons our students misbehave is they "want our attention," even
if the attention is not very positive. Even the youngest, brightest, or sweetest will
Chapter Ten - 120
misbehave to gain our attention. Often students are very well aware of the appropriate
behaviors an individual instructor expects from them, yet they knowingly and intentionally
violate that standard. Instructor attention, even though it may not be positive, is often more
desired than instructor inattention.
Rebellion
Another goal of student misbehavior is to demonstrate that the student does not and
will not follow established, conventional school or classroom policies or norms. Some
students rebel in order to illustrate they are independent, assertive, free, autonomous,
self-reliant, self-sufficient, and are not dependent. It is not unusual for students around the
sixth or seventh grade to start rebelling against the rules and policies applied in each
individual instructional system. While we do not like it, it is as predictable as our students
becoming interested in the opposite gender before we think they should.
Psychological or Physiological Release
Many times students misbehave as a means of releasing mental, emotional, or
physical energy. Often we give considerable attention to students' academic needs but we
neglect their need for psychological or physical energy release. When our students become
mentally, emotionally, or physically aroused, they often need to release that energy in an
appropriate manner. If they are not allowed to release the energy in an appropriate
manner, they release it in our classrooms, often in the form of a student misbehavior. For
example, they toss a spit wad at another student, or whistle at another student, or poke
another student in the arm.
Apathy
While it seems counterintuitive, one of the goals of student misbehavior is to resist
teacher instruction or control by being apathetic. Students often exhibit apathetic
communication responses such as listlessness, indifference, little emotion, or unconcern as
a form of passive, destructive behavior. While some would argue that communicating
apathy is not a goal of student misbehavior, students know apathy is a goal of their
misbehavior. Students realize that apathetic tendencies or the "who cares response" often
irritate their teacher. In essence, then, apathetic communication is a goal of student
misbehavior.
Chapter Ten - 121
Challenge the Teacher's Power or Control
Occasionally, students will openly, flagrantly, glaringly, and obnoxiously disregard,
ignore, or refuse to comply with an instructor's request or appeal. This kind of destructive,
open, defensive misbehavior is usually motivated by the student wanting to demonstrate to
her or his peers that they can challenge the teacher's power or control. Unfortunately, this
type of flagrant student misbehavior often places the teacher in an untenable, precarious
situation. He or she must "do something" about the student's open misbehavior without
hurting the student or the class. Very few instructors are likely to disregard or ignore an
open challenge of their power or control.
Classroom Fatigue
Classroom fatigue syndrome can lead to misbehavior problems. When our students
become fatigued, bored, frustrated, exhausted, or weary they will often exhibit verbal or
nonverbal misbehaviors. Students demand that we keep them entertained. In fact, besides
being a helper, manager, controller, and provider, we are often expected to be entertainers.
Let's face it, we often use teaching methods of the 16'*^ Century on children of the 21^'.
When the classroom is boring, students of all ages develop "classroom fatigue syndrome,"
and begin to misbehave in a verbal or nonverbal manner. They often misbehave in order to
"liven up" an otherwise slow, boring class session or lesson.
Revenge
Revenge is commonly known as the "get even response." Sometimes our students
will misbehave in order to get revenge, get even with, or make our lives very uncomfortable
for something we did or didn't do. Often we may never know what we did or didn't do to
cause a student to seek revenge. Regardless, when a student decides to seek revenge or
retribution for past offenses, they can make our lives very uncomfortable. Revenge can take
any misbehavior form. It can be active, passive, destructive, direct, or indirect, but it can
interrupt our classrooms and our instructional communicator style.
Depressed Teacher Affect
The instructional communication literature is very clear in this area. When students
have low or depressed affect or liking for their teacher, they learn less, engage in
recommended behaviors less often, are less responsive in the classroom, are less likely to
comply with a teacher's request, and if not forced to attend class will attend class less
frequently than students who have higher affect for the teacher. This is known as a "student
Chapter Ten - 122
hates teacher condition." Throughout this text we directly and indirectly discuss methods
we can use to increase teacher/student affect. We should attempt to use the affective
methods which work for us so our students will not have depressed teacher affect. This
condition impacts student performance and our performance. Students who don't like their
teachers exhibit more misbehaviors and misbehave more frequently than students who like
their teachers.
Unhealthy Attitude about School
Often students who perceive the school environment to be hostile, unreceptive to
their needs, impersonal, cold, and position-oriented will have discipline or behavior
problems in their classrooms. At the heart of the issue is whether the student's perception is
incorrect or whether the school is actually cold and impersonal. A student's perception is the
way he or she will view things. Hence, if we can change a student's perception about the
general school environment, her or his behavior might improve. However, if our school is
actually cold and impersonal, then we need to change the school's image. Either way, we
can improve student behavior and decrease student misbehaviors.
Disorganized Teachers
While this is not very complimentary to our profession, we know of many "scatter-
brained" teachers. We often wonder how they can be so disorganized and still call
themselves professionals. Disorganized, disorderly teachers usually communicate
disorganization, chaos, and unconcern to their students. Students who have teachers with
low organizational skills often misbehave. When students perceive teachers don't care, the
students don't care to behave appropriately either.
Expectancy Orientation
Often some students will misbehave because this is what is "expected" of them. They
have been classified as "behavior problems," "misfits," or "disciplinary problems" from the
time they entered school. Hence, they have learned to communicate and behave in the way
which is expected of them by school personnel. Year after year these students will work at
fulfilling the prophecy by continuing to misbehave or be disruptive.
External Variables Impact
Occasionally, we have to look beyond the obvious reasons for student misbehavior
and look for other external causes. External variables that could impact student behavior in
Chapter Ten - 123
school are hyperactivity, malnutrition, lack of sleep, abuse and/or neglect, excessive
television viewing, family violence or disputes, divorce, new birth in family, family member's
death, and so on. If there is no known immediate cause of a student's misbehavior, perhaps
we should inquire (through appropriate channels) about their home life. Often variables
beyond our control can impact how our students behave or misbehave.
In conclusion, a major challenge facing all teachers is how to determine why or what
causes students to be disruptive or misbehave. The next major challenge is managing,
handling, or controlling classroom misbehavior problems. We know that when misbehavior
gets out of control, learning, affect, and communication is negatively impacted. Before we
continue, we need to make clear what are misbehaviors and what are simply common
classrooms behaviors.
Categories of Student Behaviors
This unit will attempt to classify or categorize student behaviors into four major
categories. Much work in this area has been done by: Bellon, Doek, Handler, (1979);
Dreikurs, Grunwald, & Pepper (1971); Kearney, Plax, Sorensen, & Smith (1988);
McCroskey, Richmond, Plax, & Kearney (1985); Piaget (1970); and Richmond (1990). The
four categories are as follows: Active/constructive behaviors; Active/destructive behaviors;
Passive/constructive behaviors; and Passive/destructive behaviors (See Figure 11.1).
Occasionally, we may use examples that you would not see as fitting into a certain
category; if we do, select your own classroom example for each category.
Active/ Constructive Behaviors
This category includes behaviors which are lively, active and lead to learning. This
category might also be called the active/ positive category. In other words, the student
behaviors which are active and produce positive student outcomes that are active and
constructive. Some of the common student behaviors which are viewed as active and
constructive are: students talking to other students about the subject matter; students
talking to the teacher about the subject matter or school related activities; students
answering questions in class; students asking questions; students waving their hands to
answer questions; students reading aloud to class; students discussing homework
assignments with each other; students discussing upcoming assignments; students taking
notes; or students modeling teachers' behavior.
Chapter Ten - 124
Active
Overt Student Behaviors
Constructive or Positive
Learning Eninanced
Passive
Covert Student Beinaviors
Learning Eninanced
Overt Student Beinaviors
Destructive of Negative
Learning Hindered
Covert Student Beinaviors
Learning Hindered
Figure 10.1 Categories of Student Behaviors
Active/ Destructive Behaviors
Tinis category encompasses beinaviors tinat are lively, active, and hinder learning.
This category might also be called the active/negative category. In other words, the student
behaviors which are active and produce negative student outcomes are active and
destructive. Some of the common student behaviors which are viewed as active and
destructive are: throwing things; hitting; spitting; biting; smacking; vandalism; speaking
out with foul language; calling others names; fighting; lying; cheating; stealing; active
resistance of a teacher's wishes; coming to school unprepared; blaming others for poor
performance; asking counterproductive questions; disrupting class by making ugly, obscene
gestures or by making unusual noises; directly challenging a teacher's authority by refusing
to do something; or communicating in an unfriendly, aggressive, or intimidating fashion.
Passive/ Constructive Behaviors
This category is of behaviors which are inactive but lead to learning. This category
might also be called the passive/ positive category. In other words, the student behaviors
which are passive and produce positive student outcomes are passive and constructive.
Some of the common student behaviors which are viewed as passive and constructive are:
reading quietly or silently; studying notes; listening to lecture; watching a film; watching a
demonstration; cognitive processing (thinking); or showing passive affective cues (such as
smiling).
Passive/ Destructive Behaviors
This category is of behaviors that are inactive and hinder learning. This category
might also be called the passive/ negative category. In other words, the student behaviors
Chapter Ten - 125
that are passive and produce negative student outcomes are passive and destructive. Some
of tine common student beinaviors winicin are viewed as passive and destructive are:
sleeping; daydreaming, not listening to lecture; listening to music on a headset without
teachers' permission; reading magazines as opposed to text without teachers' permission;
doodling; not being prepared; being late for class; ignoring or not turning in assignments;
or simply not attending class or school.
While the active/ positive, passive/ positive student behaviors will lead to improved
learning outcomes, the active/ negative, passive/negative will lead to poorer learning
outcomes. The active/ positive and active/ negative student behaviors are overt, obvious,
and apparent to all participating in the classroom setting. The passive/ positive and
passive/ negative student behaviors are covert, often hidden, not obvious, and not apparent
to all participating in the classroom setting. This may be why many teachers are more likely
to reprimand, discipline, or punish students for the active/ positive or active/ negative
behaviors. Yes, we said active/ positive behaviors too.
In the classroom environment, we know that talking is often the number one
punished student behavior. We think it happens because we cannot determine the
difference between active/constructive and active/destructive talking behaviors. Therefore,
as teachers we must be very careful about punishing active/constructive talking behaviors.
If we punish active constructive talking behaviors, we may cause a student to exhibit more
active destructive talking behaviors. For example, there are many "gray areas" of
active/ positive versus active/ negative talking behaviors. We will name a few: a student
disagreeing with a teacher over a statement the teacher made in class; students talking
about math in English class; students discussing after school events in class; students
discussing other teachers in our class; students talking about the news in our class;
students talking about a film shown in another class; or students discussing what they will
be having for lunch. Who is to say which is destructive and which is not? The individual
teacher. We must keep in mind if we punish many active/ positive talking behaviors, then all
we might have left are active/ negative talking behaviors. Each of us needs to have a clear
understanding of what is acceptable or unacceptable student talking behavior in our
classrooms.
In addition to talk being punished, often many nonverbal behaviors fall into the "gray
area" of what is active/ positive versus active/negative nonverbal behaviors. We will name a
few: students rustling papers, books, and notebooks while listening or taking notes;
students looking around room while we are lecturing; students slouching in chairs; students
looking down while we talking; students reading the text while we talk; students stretching;
Chapter Ten - 126
students moving around in desl<s; students leaning toward us; and students lool<ing at tineir
watcines. Wino is to say winicin is destructive and winicin is not? Tine individual teacher. We
must keep in mind if we punish many active/ positive nonverbal behaviors, then all we might
have left are active/ negative nonverbal behaviors. Each of us needs to have a clear
understanding of what is acceptable or unacceptable student nonverbal behavior in our
classrooms.
In conclusion, some of the more positive categories of student behavior could be
perceived as negative by some teachers. Each teacher should have a wide array of student
behaviors which fit into each category and these should be explained to students so they
know what is appropriate classroom behavior and what is not. Second, some teachers can
tolerate more active/ positive behaviors than other teachers. Third, many of the
positive/active student behaviors may help the individual student to learn while interfering
with other students learning. Each of us needs to notice when this is occurring and change
it. Lastly, let's not punish the positive behaviors. Let's reinforce them so our students have
plenty of opportunity to be caught at "being good" not caught at "being bad."
Students' Effects on Affect in the Classroom
When schools make the national headlines, it's rarely a positive happening in this
day and age. More often than not, the plague of school violence has rocked our nation and
left most of us wondering what's going wrong with our students. When one examines the
backgrounds of the most infamous school violence episodes (Paducha, KY, Jonesboro, AK,
and Littleton, CO), a systematic bullying of the perpetrators has been the cause of school
violence. This section is going to examine what bullying is, who the bullies and victims are,
and how teachers can curb bullying and help to build affect in the classroom
What is Bullying?
The first problem that most people have when nailing down bullying is determining
what the term actually means. Though many definitions have been proposed for the term
"bully" the definition used in this section comes from Connolly, Pepler, Craig, and Tardash
(2000) who defined bullying as "the abuse of power by one child over another through
repeated aggressive behaviors" (p. 300). While many scholars may define bullying as any
aggressive behavior against another individual, Connolly et al. realize that bullying and
aggression are not synonymous. An individual can clearly be aggressive in one situation at
one time and not really be a bully. Instead, a bully is someone who uses physical and/or
verbal aggression against another person on a repeated basis. Owleus (1995) noted three
Chapter Ten - 127
myths about bullying that people often do not understand. The first myth about bullying is
that bullying has to do with the size of the class. Bullies can be found in small classes and in
large classes. In the past, one popular method for handling bullies was switching them to a
different class either a smaller or larger one. However, this method has not been shown to
be an effective way to prevent bullying.
Who are the bullies?
A second myth that Owleus' (1995) discusses is that bullying is related to
competition for grades. This historic depiction of the School Yard Bully has been captured in
the popular television show. The Simpson's. In this television series, the school yard bully is
depicted as an illiterate baboon who uses aggression to mask his own lack of academic
potential, but this is not a real portrayal of who bullies are. In fact, many bullies are not
dumb and at the bottom of the class, but may instead be your star pupils. I nstead, a
number of specific characteristics have been noticed in research examining bullying.
Menesini, Melana, and Pignatti (2000) found three primary characteristics related to an
individual's tendency to bully her or his classmates: (1) an aggressive personality, with a
tendency to react aggressively in any situation; (2) little control over one's emotional state
and the behaviors associated with those emotions; and (3) a positive attitude towards
violence and competition. While any of these alone can have negative effects, the
combination of the three leads to many behavioral problems in school. Figure 10.2 is a scale
developed by Jason Wrench (one of the authors) to examine an individual's likelihood to
react in a physically aggressive manner. This scale was developed as a means to assess an
individual's tendency to use physical aggression as a means of anti-social communication.
While past researchers in the field of communication have focused on verbal
communication, understanding physical communication and how it relates to bullying can be
very beneficial in our present discussion. Overall, bullying is generally both verbal and
physical in its most drastic forms.
Physical Aggression Scale
Read the following questions and select the answer that corresponds with what you would
do in most situations. Do not be concerned if some of the items appear similar. Please
use the scale below to rate the degree to which each statement applies to you.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
1
2
3
4
5
1. I am extremely careful to avoid physically attacking another individual.
Chapter Ten - 128
2. When I get upset, I have a tendency to throw objects.
3. When I get angry, I tend to hit inanimate objects.
4. I would never use physical violence to solve a problem.
5. When I get mad, I tend to hit things.
6. I have physically confronted someone.
7. I use physical violence as a way to control others.
8. I avoid physical violence at all costs.
9. I get respect by physically intimidating others.
10. I would never be involved in a physical confrontation.
11. I have broken inanimate objects during a fit of rage.
12. I tend to flee from physical confrontations.
13. When losing an argument, I always resort to physical violence.
14. I hit walls as a means of dealing with my anger.
15. Physically hurting others helps me accomplish my goals.
SCORING: To compute your scores follow the instructions below:
1. Object Violence Factor
Step One: Add scores for items 2, 3, 5, 11, & 14.
2. Physical Confrontation Factor
Step One: Add scores for items 6 S(12
Step Two: Add scores for items 4, 8, & 10
Step Three: Add 18 to Step 1.
Step Four: Subtract the score for Step two from the score for Step Three.
3. Control/ Task Factor
Step One: Add scores for items 7, 9, 13, & 15
Step Two: Add scores for items 1
Step Three: Add 6 to Step 1.
Step Four: Subtract the score for Step two from the score for Step Three.
Source:
Wrench, J . S. (2002). The impact of sexual orientation and temperament on physical and
verbal aggression, yourna/ of Intercultural Communication Researcii, 31, 85-106.
Figure 10.2 Physical Aggression Scale (PAS)
The three basic factors that comprise the Physical Aggression Scale (PAS) are object
violence, physical confrontation, and control/task aggression. Object violence is when an
individual reacts aggressively towards inanimate objects. Often aggressive people will
avoiding hurting other people, but instead take out their aggression on an object. Even if an
individual does not hurt another person physically, this form of aggression can still be
construed as bullying. Object violence aggression can often be misconstrued as a form of
Chapter Ten - 129
threat, and can be very intimidating to tinose around tine aggressor. Tine Pinysical
Confrontation factor of tine PAS is winat most people associate witin bullying. This factor
examines the use of physical violence as a part of normalized life. Most bullies do not shy
away from physical confrontation, and often actually go out of their way to find these
confrontations. These are the people who are often said to be "looking for a fight." The final
factor examines the use of physical aggression as a means for gaining control over others or
accomplishing a task. This is another factor commonly associated with bullying. Bullies will
often use physical aggression as a means to get their victims to comply with some task
(giving their lunch money), which ultimately places the bully in a control position.
Pakaslahti and Keltikangas-Jarvinen (2000) discussed the second form of aggression
that a bully commonly uses, which is verbal aggression. Verbal aggression has been
commonly defined as message behavior that attacks a person's self-concept in order to
deliver psychological pain (Infante & Wigley, 1986). Statements that purposefully are used
to hurt another person are considered verbally aggressive.
Ultimately, for bullying to work, the bully generally needs a following of supporters
who encourage her or him to continue the bullying. For this reason, the image of the
outcast as the bully is not always true. In fact, while Olweus (1995) noticed that bullies do
not perform academically as well as their non-bullying counterparts, they are not the misfits
that some think they are. I n fact, William Pollack (2000) author of Real Boy's Voices
believes that aggression, homophobia, and violent behavior are actually looked up to in
adolescent peer groups - especially among boys. So the instigator of these acts, may not be
an outcast, but rather one of the popular kids. This reconceptualization of who the bullies
are is a new perspective on this issue. In the past, individuals like Eric Harris and Dillan
Klebold (the perpetrators of the school shooting in Littleton, CO) would have been seen as
the school bullies because of their violent behaviors. I n fact, both of these individuals were
repeated victims of bullying from other students in the "in-crowd" that was often overlooked
by both faculty and staff.
Who are the Victims?
The third myth that Owelus (1995) noted was that students who are overweight, red
haired, use glasses, or speak with a different dialect are more likely to become victims of
bullies. While I'm sure a number of overweight, red-headed, glasses-wearing. New York
natives living in the South have had their fair share of bullying, these aren't really predictors
of who will and who will not be a victim of bullying. A plethora of actual victim
characteristics have been seen in a number of research studies. While the categories of
Chapter Ten - 130
victims can include botin passive and proactive victims, typically in a bullying situation the
victim is passive. Passive victims have been described as submissive, nonassertive,
nonaggressive, socially isolated, physically weak, nondefensive, and having low self-esteem
(Connolly et al., 2000, Menesini et al., 2000). In fact. Hoover, Oliver, and Hazier (1992)
noted that nearly 75% of adolescents reported some form of victimization from a bully
during their school years. Of these victims, 90% believed that being bullied caused
significant problems, including loss of friendships, feelings of isolation, hopelessness,
lowered self-esteem, and academic problems. In a report released by the National
Association of School Psychologists, it is estimated that 160,000 children each day miss
school for fear of being picked on by one of their classmates (Orecklin & Winters, 2000).
When a victim is repeatedly exposed to both physical and/or verbal aggression from
a bully for an extended period of time, the lasting effects can be quite detrimental.
Typically, victims of bullying who are exposed to the bullying for a long period of time will
react in one of two ways: internally or externally. When a victim reacts internally, he or she
has a lower self-esteem and often will have serious bouts with depression that could lead to
violent outbursts against her or himself. These violent outbursts could include scarring
(taking a knife to one's own flesh as a way to purge the reasons that make them a victim),
pulling out of hair, eating disorders, and possibly suicide. One of the authors of this text had
an interesting bullying experience:
I remember once while I was in junior high, this guy behind me kept pocking
me in the sides saying, "pudge!" He would think it was soooo funny. One day during
Algebra I had just sharpened my pencil and He "pudged" me. Without thinking, I
jabbed my newly sharpened pencil into his right knee. That pencil dug pretty deep
enough into his skin to leave a nice little tattoo. He went to the nurse's office and I
was sent to the Vice Principal's office. At this time I had been staying after school
and filing the Vice Principal's disciplinary forms every afternoon, so he had gotten to
know me pretty well. I told him the story and I didn't get in trouble at all, but the
guy who kept "pudging" me did get in trouble for bullying me. As a whole, I'm a
fairly non-violent person, but when I got pushed to my limit, I reacted in a violent
fashion towards the person I felt was causing me harm.
The opposite of this is externally reacting, which is becoming all too commonplace in
our society today. Each of the adolescents that has been involved in a school shooting has
been a victim of bullying. All of them were said to be quiet, nice kids who other children had
picked-on during school. Many of these kids had first started reacting violently towards
family pets or random stray animals. I n a way, these violent episodes are an attempt to
Chapter Ten - 131
regain some kind of control tinat inas been lost because of the bully. How can a student
expect to learn or even enjoy school if he or she is fearful for her or his own safety? Sadly,
in cases of severe bullying teachers and administrators have often blamed the victim for the
bullying that occurs. In one rather severe case where a teenager was dragged into a school
bathroom and a derogatory slur was carved into his chest with a knife, the school
responded by having him sent to another school. The perpetrators (all popular athletes in
the school) only received a three-day suspension (Owens, 1998).
What Can Teachers Do?
The lasting effects of bullying are pretty severe both to the bully and the victim.
Owleus (1995) found that victims of bullies have lower self-esteems and are more
depressed than their non-bullied counterparts by the age of 23. At the same time, 65% of
boys identified as bullies in the second grade were convicted of a felony by age 24. The
lasting effects of bullying are detrimental for both parties. Because bullying affects both the
academic and nonacademic parts of our students' lives, understanding what we can do as
teachers to help both bullies and victims is very important.
Acknowledging Bullying. In a research study conducted by Pakaslahti and
Keltikangas-Jarvinen (2000), it was found that teachers and adolescents had very different
ideas of who bullies are. Teachers are generally outside observers; whereas, the students
are inside the bullying interactions when they occur. For this reason, teachers need to be
make it known that they want to hear from their students if someone is being bullied.
Create a Bully-Free Environment. Owleus (1995) had four suggestions for how
schools should react to provide a bully free environment: (1) Create a school (and, ideally,
also a home) environment characterized by warmth, positive interest, and involvement from
adults, on one hand, and firm limits to unacceptable behavior, on the other; (2) When rules
are violated, reprimand with non-hostile, nonphysical sanctions that are applied
consistently; (3) Adults need to monitor and survey students' activities in and out of the
school; and (4) Adults both at home and at school should act as authorities in some
respects. While, admittedly, these ideas are very Utopianistic in nature, they are still very
profound ideals to work towards.
Set Limits. Bullies need to know their limits and what is right and what is wrong to
do to another human. Victims need to know that they can trust an adult figure that will
protect them from bullies.
Teach Victims to be Assertive. Teaching victims how to become more assertive
can be very beneficial. While a victim may never become an aggressor, he or she can learn
Chapter Ten - 132
techniques that will allow her or him to stand up for her or himself and get help. Too often,
victims feel helpless and do not seek help for fear that the help will only cause more
problems. Victims need to know that the bullying and the bullies will not be tolerated. In his
autobiographical account of bullying, The Wounded Spirit ('Peretti, 2000) discussed what it
feels like to be an outsider. He also realized that all of us could be targets for victimization:
If you have discovered some "defect" in yourself, welcome to the human race.
Regardless of your failures, foibles, or defeats, you're just as human (and just
as precious as anybody else. You're a member. . . .One of the most common
mistakes made by victims of abuse is to think that for some reason the abuse
was justified, that they actually deserved it. Nothing could be farther from the
truth! [emphasis in original] (p. 125).
Seek Interventions for the Perpetrators. The bullies themselves need to be
helped as well. Often the victims are helped and the bullies are just punished, but never
taught a better way to act. First, and foremost, bullies need to be given specific guidelines
for acceptable and unacceptable behaviors.
Valencic, Beatty, Rudd, Dobos, and Heisel (1998) noticed that verbal and physical
aggressiveness are temperamentally driven and to a great extent biologically innate. This
means that aggressive people are probably just naturally aggressive people. Does this
excuse inappropriate behavior as just naturally occurring or biologically driven? By no
means. At the same time, if an aggressive person is not given opportunities for pro-social
outlets for aggression, they may turn to more negative outlets. A physically aggressive
person could become the captain of the football team or could become the school bully
depending on which outlets they are given. A verbally aggressive person could become a
champion debater (with training), or become verbally abusive to one of her or his peers. I n
the Musical Grease the male lead character, Danny, a fairly physically aggressive male tries
to find a sport to play to impress his female interest (Sandra Dee). While some of the
coaches thought it was obvious to place him into football and wrestling because of his
aggressive nature, he lacked the necessary training and discipline and resorted to his more
normal physically aggressive self while attempting to perform. This is an example of the
necessity of proper training for aggressive individuals. If teachers and parents do not help
aggressive students find pro-social outlets and teach them these outlets, then when they
become bullies in school, it should not be surprising to any of us.
Chapter Ten - 133
Communication, Affect, and Classroom i^lanagement
We know that an effectively managed classroom can produce students who have
exceptionally high levels of cognitive, affective, and psychomotor learning. We know that an
effectively managed classroom can produce students who can learn on their own and will
continue to use the material they learned in our classrooms. We know that an effectively
managed classroom can produce students who have high affect for the teacher which leads
to a high teacher affect for students. Lastly, we also know that an effectively managed
classroom can produce students who have good interpersonal communication skills and
abilities. We are not suggesting that a well-managed classroom is where discipline,
reprimands, and punishment reign supreme. A well-managed classroom is one in which
productive interaction is encouraged, students grant power to the teacher, immediacy and
affect are high, and discipline is rarely needed. Teachers who use frequent, harsh discipline
interventions are often the very ones who have the more difficult, problematic,
hard-to-manage classes. The remainder of this unit will review classroom management
approaches, how to increase appropriate student behaviors and decrease inappropriate
student behaviors, guidelines for the use of punishment, and some general guidelines for
classroom management. Figure 10.3 is provided to assist you in visualizing the process of
increasing or decreasing student behaviors.
Common Classroom Management Approaches
Before we review communication strategies for increasing appropriate student
behaviors and decreasing inappropriate student behaviors we should review the common
classroom management approaches. Below is a discussion of the six most common
classroom management approaches.
There are three primary educational behavior modification approaches that increase
appropriate student behaviors. As noted in Figure 10.3 they are positive reinforcement,
negative reinforcement, and shaping.
Positive reinforcement is when we give a reward or positive consequence
immediately following the desired student behavior. Rewards or positive consequences can
come in the form of nonverbal or verbal communication behaviors which positively reinforce
the student for appropriate behavior. The basic idea is that student behaviors which are
positively reinforced are learned. For example, if we reinforce our students with a positive
consequence, such as a happy face sticker, every time each student turns in homework that
Chapter Ten - 134
is neat, clean, readable, and on time, we have increased the likelihood the behavior wil
occur again.
Give
Consequences
Remove
Probability of Future Behavior
I ncrease
(Give a positive
consequence)
POSITIVE
REINFORCEMENT
(Give a negative
consequence)
NEGATIVE
REINFORCEMENT
Decrease
(Give a negative
consequence)
PUNISHMENT I
(Remove a positive
consequence)
PUNISHMENT II
Shaping
(Gradual Reform)
Extinction
(Ignore)
FIGURE 10.3 MODEL OF CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
Negative reinforcement is when we remove a negative consequence or remove a
negative reinforcer. Student behavior is strengthened or increased when the occurrence of
the desired behavior results in removal of a negative consequence or negative reinforcer.
The basic idea is that through the use of appropriate behaviors or behaving in a desirable
way the student has avoided some threatening consequence or a negative consequence. For
example, if doing discussion questions over each unit of material is a negative for Susan,
because she never does very well on them, we release Susan from having to do all the
discussion questions. We tell her to select the ones she can do well and forget the other
ones. Essentially Susan has learned that doing discussion questions is okay because it had
the effect of removing a negative reinforcer.
Shiaping is when we reinforce closer and closer student approximations to the final
desired behavior. We gradually, through reinforcement of small bits of approximations of
the desired behavior, "shape" a student's behavior in the direction deemed desirable. For
example, J oe is unable to go all period without disrupting the class. We reinforce J oe for the
first five minutes he goes without disrupting the class, then for the next five, the next five.
Chapter Ten - 135
the next five, and finally for the entire class. We have gradually shaped Joe's behavior from
a few minutes to an entire class period.
There are three primary educational behavior modification approaches which
decrease inappropriate student behaviors. As noted in Figure 11.2 they are punishment I,
punishment II, and extinction.
Punishment I is when we give a punishment or negative consequence immediately
following the undesirable student behavior. Punishments or negative consequences can
come in the form of nonverbal or verbal communication behaviors which punish the student
for inappropriate behavior. The basic idea is that student behaviors which result in a
negative consequence are lessened or decreased. For example, Margaret spit on her best
friend for stealing her boyfriend. Margaret was told to write a letter of apology to her best
friend. Spitting led to writing a letter of apology, a negative consequence.
Punishment II is when the undesirable student behavior is weakened when the
occurrence of the behavior causes us to remove a positive consequence or reinforcer. The
basic idea is that through the removal of a positive consequence or removal of a reward the
student has learned to decrease inappropriate behaviors. For example, John is able to earn
ten points for every study guide he turns in ahead of time on each chapter assigned in
history. However, the study guides must be neat, clean, readable, and complete. If they are
not, John loses four points for each study guide that is sloppy or incomplete even though it
is turned in on time. Hence, John's failure to turn in neat, clean, readable, and complete
study guides results in the removal of a specified amount of points (e.g., removal of a
positive consequence).
Extinction is when we weaken, decrease or eliminate inappropriate student
behavior by ignoring, disregarding, or not paying attention to the student's behavior. The
basic idea is that if we ignore a mild misbehavior, it will often go away and not reappear. If
we reward it by acknowledging it, it might continue. For example, while we are teaching, a
student in the back of the room makes a funny noise with her or his armpit, we ignore it
and continue. A few students chuckle, but most ignore it because we ignored it. We have
ignored the inappropriate behavior and hopefully it will decrease or not occur again. By
attending to the funny noise, we might have strengthened the likelihood that it would occur
again.
In conclusion, none of the above approaches guarantees appropriate student
behaviors will increase and inappropriate student behaviors will decrease. Each is simply a
classroom approach to modifying student behavior. Below are common communication
Chapter Ten - 136
techniques or strategies for increasing appropriate student beinaviors or decreasing
inappropriate student beinaviors.
Communication Techniques For
I ncreasing or Decreasing Student Behavior
I ncreasing Appropriate Student Behaviors
Often increasing appropriate student beinaviors can be accomplisined by simple
reward and positive reinforcement. However, eacin teaciner needs to understand and learn
that what reinforces one student may not always reinforce another. For example, telling a
student who had the best report that they get to present it orally in front of the class may
be more of a punisher or disincentive than a reward or incentive. Hence, we need to learn
what makes our students "tick." What makes one tick or be happy may make another
unhappy.
Assuming that we know what makes our students happy, we should: 1)
Communicate many, simple, positive comments or statements to them when they do
something that is appropriate or acceptable to us. (2) Give something like "happy face
stickers" or "stars" to reinforce them for appropriate performance. (3) Reinforce through
positive nonverbal behaviors, such as a smile for good behavior or a pat on the back for a
job well done. (4) Watch our potential behavior problems and when they do something well
or good, reinforce them for "being good." Watch for a positive change in the disruptive
student and reinforce the change. (5) Set a positive example by exhibiting the kinds of
appropriate behaviors we want our students to model and perform in our classroom. (6)
Maintain our self-control and our sanity at all times. When we are in control and seem calm,
the students are more likely to exhibit the appropriate, desirable behaviors. When we are
out of control or seem unstable, even the best students might think of misbehaving. (7)
Attempt to remove any or all negative elements from our communication style, our
classroom, or the school. This seems difficult if not impossible, but if we can remove some
negative consequences, then students might have better behavior. (8) Treat each student
fairly, equally, and not have favorites. If we show favoritism, we will increase the likelihood
of inappropriate behavior, whereas, not having favorites will increase the likelihood of
appropriate student behaviors.
Chapter Ten - 137
Decreasing I nappropriate Student Behavior
Often decreasing inappropriate student beinavior is as simple as giving a small
negative consequence or taking away a small, positive consequence. However, when
decreasing inappropriate student behavior we must remember that what works for one
student may not work for the next student. We must determine what will work for each
individual student when attempting to decrease inappropriate behaviors. We don't want to
inadvertently reward inappropriate behavior.
Given the above, there are several things we can do to guarantee that inappropriate
student behaviors decrease: (1) Never reward or be positive about inappropriate student
behavior. If necessary be neutral, but never positive. Often if you seem neutral, students
might assume you are not in favor of that particular behavior. (2) As immediately as is
possible, following an inappropriate behavior or action, correct it, and show the student the
appropriate behavior. (3) Never embarrass or make the student the focus of excessive
attention for her or his inappropriate behavior. This might not decrease it. It might increase
it. (4) Clearly state at the beginning of class or on a syllabus, the consequences of
inappropriate behavior. (5) Clearly state what is "inappropriate behavior" in your class.
(6) Learn to ignore minor misbehaviors and perhaps they will decrease. (7) Move around
your classroom, be dynamic, keep students alive and interested in the subject. They will
have less time to misbehave or think of things to do to irritate you and others. (8) Do not
overlook or ignore clear-cut infractions of the rules. Apply simple, direct, immediate
reprimands and let it go. Never dwell on what a student did that was negative. We should
try to dwell more on the positive things our students do.
Guidelines for the Use of Punishment
Let's keep in mind, punishment is negative. Hence, we should try every possible
communication strategy or alternative we can think of before we resort to punishment.
Punishment is only effective if administered firmly and immediately following the
undesirable behavior. In addition, punishment should always be communicated in a calm,
matter-of-fact voice and manner. One should never lose control, scream, yell, rant, and
rave when punishing a student.
Next, never belittle or call the student names when punishing. Select one behavior
and punish the behavior, not the child. In addition, you should determine whether the
misbehavior was intentional or unintentional. This might determine the amount and length
of punishment. The student should know why they are being punished.
Chapter Ten - 138
The student should know how to earn back any positive reinforcers that have been
removed (e. g., no listening to their headset for one class period). "Punishment should also
match the crime." Don't make outlandish threats that you can't or never intend to carry
out.
Keep in mind once we have punished a student, the relationship will never be the
same. They may avoid us, distrust us, or even dislike us. Avoid blatant, harsh discipline for
things or acts that are not that serious (e. g., chattering during class occasionally).
Lastly, we must remember punishment does not teach the correct behavior, it only
punishes the incorrect behavior. Hence, we need to teach our students correct behaviors,
lessening the likelihood punishment will be needed. When all is said and done, most school
systems are abandoning the "punishment model" or the "spare the rod, spoil the child
syndrome." In fact, most school systems would prefer to work with their students on a
positive, incentive basis than on a negative, disincentive basis.
General Guidelines for Classroom Management
We will make this simple, direct, and understandable. (1) Each of us should clearly
state or provide in writing to our students on the first day of class, the rules and procedures
we expect them to follow. In addition, there should never be more than five simple rules or
procedures. Whether we give them in oral or written format, we should ask for examples so
our students know what we mean. (2) We should create a pedagogical environment in
which students feel free to ask questions, communicate concerns, and be willing to make
needed changes. In this type of person-oriented classroom environment, students are less
likely to engage in undesirable behaviors or communication. (3) We should keep students
interested in subject matter and time-on task exercises. This suggests we have to develop a
more friendly, assertive, sociable, dynamic, and outgoing teacher communication style. If
we can be more dynamic and interesting, the students will attend more, and behavior
problems will decrease. (4) Through nonverbal and verbal immediacy and affinity building
we can increase positive student affect. As student affect for us, the material, and the class
increases, misbehavior decreases. (5) Lastly, we should avoid the use of antisocial or
negative compliance techniques, when attempting to modify or control a student's
misbehavior. Coercion has never taught the correct behavior in the past, why should we
think it would work now? Often the more coercive power is used, the more it will be needed.
The research strongly suggests the use of such techniques will lead to student resentment,
dislike, and lowered affect.
Chapter Ten - 139
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Chapter Ten - 140
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Chapter Ten - 142
TEACHER MISBEHAVIORS
AND COMMUNICATION
Chapter Eleven Objectives
1. Discuss the role/function of the teacher/source in the instructional process.
2. Discuss why teachers might misbehave.
3. Review the most common teacher JVlisbehaviors. Give an example of each that you
have observed in a fellow teacher.
4. Give some outcomes of teacher misbehavior on the educational system.
There he or she is, sitting at their desk, drinking coffee and reading a newspaper,
while the students are attempting to determine what the assignment is. Day after day,
week after week, the students go into Mr. or Ms. Thompson's room for instruction and
encouragement, but come out with little instruction and no encouragement. Mr. or Ms.
Thompson thinks the best model of teaching is to assign vague projects, plenty of busy
work which doesn't even get graded, lots of board work so he or she can openly criticize the
students' work; to give unannounced quizzes, no guidelines for grading or achievement, and
little teacher feedback. He or she often leaves the room to talk with other school personnel
and is rarely in her or his room when the class is supposed to begin.
Unfortunately, most of us have experienced teachers like Mr. or Ms. Thompson.
There is no question that a teacher's behavior, communication, control, and concern all
have an impact on student communication, perception, performance, and behavior. As
Richmond and Roach (1992) point out, "The tasks of a teacher are many-fold. An instructor
is responsible for presenting subject content, explaining difficult concepts, modeling and
stimulating problem-solving skills, promoting both cognitive and affective learning in
students, motivating students toward academic achievement, and providing an environment
conducive to learning" (p. 58). Most instructional managers are able to handle these tasks.
A troublesome but valid area of concern has been explored recently in the
communication education literature. This new arena of study has been called "teacher
misbehaviors." While much of the literature has examined, investigated, and discussed
why, how, and when students instigate problems in the classroom, very few people have
examined the impact of teacher misbehaviors in the classroom. Perhaps this oversight is
because we don't like to think of ourselves as misbehavior problems or as the instigator of
misbehavior problems in our own classrooms.
Chapter Eleven - 143
Often, we as teachers, forget how powerful our presence can be in the classroom.
The things that we say and do will be remembered by our students longer than most of us
sometimes would like. One of the authors of this text had the following experience:
Once while teaching a class, I had asked my students to do a task that they
had been doing all semester long. They were taking longer than usual and I was
already a little agitated that day, so the combination was not a positive teaching
experience. I finally got frustrated and looked at the class and muttered, "Come on
people, this isn't brain surgery!" A few kids chuckled and the class went on its way
without any more problems. A few days later, I was talking with one of my students
about a problem he was having on one of his assignments, he finally looked at me
and with a sly smile uttered, "I know, it's not brain surgery!" I couldn't believe that
he had remembered my off-hand remark like that. I was hoping he was the only one,
but to my dismay, most of the class remembered that little remark. For the rest of
the semester, any time something wasn't going just right one of the students would
pipe in with, "Come on people, this isn't brain surgery!" I even had a couple of
"brain surgery" comments on my evaluations. This little experience forced me to
realize how powerful the words we use in the classroom really are.
As teachers, we must all be careful of the words we use because we never know if
were are edifying our students or destroying them.
Kearney, Plax, Hays, and Ivey (1991) note that the education literature often
"overlooks teachers themselves as a potential source of problems in the classroom" (p.
309-310). Kearney et al., (1991) departed from tradition and made two assumptions about
teachers and misbehaviors. The first assumption is that "teachers themselves may
misbehave" and second "these misbehaviors can become potential sources of student
dissatisfaction and resistance" (p. 310). They define teacher misbehaviors as "those teacher
behaviors that interfere with instruction and thus, learning" (p. 310). Most of their work has
been with college students' perceptions of teachers' misbehaviors. However, Kearney et al.,
suggests that teacher misbehaviors can occur at any level of education and misbehaving
teachers can be found in all grades. In this chapter we have adapted some of their
misbehavior problems to match teacher misbehaviors found in kindergarten through twelfth
grade. Again, there seems to be little doubt that teacher behaviors and communication
influence a student's behaviors, time spent on task, study habits, motivation, goal
orientation, learning, application of subject matter, classroom order, classroom
communication, in-class work habits, and a plethora of other variables.
Chapter Eleven - 144
There seem to be several reasons why teachers misbehave. Kearney et al., (1991)
suggest that teachers misbehave because they are "unable to relate to students, uncaring,
preoccupied with other work, uninformed about course content, fearful about initiating
personal relationships with students, outdated, selfish and self-centered, and not committed
to the teaching profession" (p. 318).
Why Teachers Misbehave
Let's keep in mind the majority of us probably do not misbehave in our classrooms,
and if we do we don't misbehave to the point of interfering with our students' learning.
However, there are many teachers who do misbehave either intentionally or unintentionally,
or out of habit. No one is sure why teachers misbehave. No one has been able to get
teachers who are perceived by others as misbehavior problems to answer why teachers
misbehave. However, we can delineate some possible reasons why they do.
Boredom
Just like our students, we become bored with the everyday process of teaching and
learning. We start to rely on "old notes" and "old lectures" and never allow ourselves to
grow, develop, and expand educationally. Just because we have been teaching for several
years doesn't mean we can't still be interested and interesting.
Dislike Teaching
Whether we like it or not, we know there are some instructors in our school system
who simply don't like teaching. Their affect for the basic job is low and they will do nothing
to improve. In fact, these are the very teachers who are most proud of saying, "I do this
because I have nothing else to do," or "I do this to earn a little extra money," or "I would
have done something better with my life, but what they heck, the pay is okay and the hours
are great." Instructors who do not have a positive regard for this profession do not have a
positive regard for us or the students.
Out-of-Date
Instructional leaders have to continue to learn, grow, and gain knowledge in their
subject content area of else they will become out-of-date. When a teacher becomes
out-of-date or is uneducated in her or his primary content area, they will fail to have a
positive instructional impact on their students. We need to stay up-to-date in our primary
Chapter Eleven - 145
field and continue to educate ourselves or we may become the next misbehavior problem in
the system.
Establish Too High Expectations
Often we will establish expectations for ourselves and our students that are too high
or unreachable. In our efforts to be better we become compulsive and pushy and forget one
of our primary goals is to establish a humane learning environment where all students can
learn and perform up to their levels. When we establish expectations that no student can
meet and expectations for ourselves that we cannot meet, then we may become a problem
to ourselves and our students.
Poor Interaction with Students
Instructors who have poor communication skills or ineffective communication with
their students are more likely to misbehave or have behaviors which are indicative of
teacher misbehavior. It is clear that effective communication between teacher and student
is a prerequisite for teacher success and student learning. Teachers who are ineffective
communicators usually receive very little positive feedback from their students, have
difficulty responding to feedback, cannot establish credibility with students, have less
control over their students, have lowered affinity with students, and have more defensive,
hostile communication with their students than teachers who are effective communicators.
According to Hurt, Scott, McCroskey (1978) "teaching is communicating. And the better
teachers are at communicating, the better they are at teaching" (p. 38).
Poor Teaching Performance
Teachers who cannot teach, cannot present material in an interesting, stimulating,
and exciting manner, or systematically refuse to learn the necessary communication skills
which contribute to good teaching, are more likely to become behavior problems for their
students. They become problems because they are insecure, self-conscious, and defensive
about their teaching performance. Perhaps they even realize their performance is not
acceptable, but they don't know how to improve. So instead of seeking help or assistance,
they become misbehavior problems.
Low Affect for I mmediate Supervisor
We all know this teacher. He or she doesn't like and is not able to get along well with
her or his immediate supervisor. The immediate supervisor may be a principal, assistant
Chapter Eleven - 146
principal, curriculum director or another teacher. Often when affect is low between
supervisor and subordinate, then the relationship and communication are negatively
impacted. Teachers who do not like their immediate supervisors pose very big misbehavior
problems for their own students. This teacher becomes angry with her or his immediate
supervisor, but instead of talking to her or his immediate supervisor, they may go into class
and misbehave. In order words, they take their anger and frustrations out on their students.
Stress and Overload
More and more good teachers are suffering from intense stress and overload. There
are not enough good teachers in the systems to do all the work, so many good teachers are
becoming overburdened and overloaded while many poor teachers are doing as little as
possible. Stress and overload for long periods of time might cause a very good teacher to
develop some misbehavior problems. If we see this happening to us, we definitely need to
reduce our workload.
In conclusion, there are many reasons why teachers might misbehave. Some of
these causes of misbehavior can be managed or controlled by us. However, there are still
some teachers present in our educational systems who nonverbally and verbally abuse
students and will never admit it. Let's review what students perceive as common teacher
misbehaviors with an eye toward spotting our own misbehaviors and correcting them.
Common Teacher Misbehaviors
There are a wide variety of teacher misbehaviors that can occur in any classroom
setting. While the landmark study by Kearney et al., only identifies misbehaviors that occur
at the college level, we will attempt to generalize their findings to other grade levels. I n this
attempt we will only discuss the common misbehaviors which teachers are likely to commit
from kindergarten through high school. Kearney et al., was able to categorize teacher
misbehaviors into three primary categories.
Teacher Incompetence
The first category was labeled teacher incompetence. The following are descriptions
of the nine primary misbehaviors that make up teacher incompetence.
1. An incompetent teacher often exhibits misbehaviors such as giving confusing
or unclear lectures, presentations, or notes. Here the teacher often is vague,
jumps randomly from one point to another and has lectures or notes that are
often inconsistent with the assigned readings.
Chapter Eleven - 147
2. An incompetent teacher is often apatinetic to students. He or sine doesn't
seem to care about tine class or tine students, doesn't learn student names,
rejects students' opinions and questions, and rarely allows for class
discussions.
3. An incompetent teacher uses unfair testing techniques or strategies. He or
she will ask trick questions, have exams or tests that do not relate to notes or
lectures, give tests that are too difficult, ask ambiguous questions, and
provide no review for tests.
4. An incompetent teacher will give boring lectures and presentations. They are
boring, unenthusiastic, speak in monotone voice, ramble, repeat too much,
drone on, and provide no variety.
5. An incompetent teacher will often have students who have information or
communication overloads. For example, they talk too fast, rush the content,
talk over students' heads, use obscure terminology, ignore students' queries,
ignore students' confusion and keep giving information, and assign excessive
busy work.
6. An incompetent teacher does not know her or his subject matter or primary
content teaching area. For example, they don't understand the subject,
cannot answer questions, give incorrect information, cannot extend the
subject matter, and often aren't current or up-to-date.
7. An incompetent teacher may have a foreign or regional accent or dialect
different from the students which interferes with the students' processing of
information. For example, they are hard to understand, enunciate poorly,
don't attempt to adapt their speech to the students, or their accent or speech
is so strong or different from the region that it interferes with information
processing and effective communication.
8. An incompetent teacher uses inappropriate volume. They do not speak loudly
enough (speak too softly) to be heard or they speak too loudly.
9. Lastly, an incompetent teacher uses poor grammar and has poor spelling.
They often use poor grammar, misspell words, and generally use poor
English.
Teacher Offensiveness
The second category of teacher misbehaviors was labeled teacher offensiveness.
Below is a discussion of the six primary misbehaviors that make up an offensive teacher.
Chapter Eleven - 148
1. Teachers who behave offensively use sarcasm, putdowns, and hurtful or
harmful comments. They are sarcastic, rude, make fun of students, humiliate
students, insult, pick on or embarrass students in front of others.
2. Teachers who behave offensively use verbal abuse. They are verbally abusive.
They use profanity, are often angry, mean, hostile, yell, scream, rant, rave,
and will often intimidate students. Sometimes they will interrupt students and
verbally harass them in the classroom.
3. Teachers who behave offensively use unreasonable and arbitrary rules. They
refuse to accept late work, give no breaks in long classes, punish an entire
class for the misbehavior of one student, and are often rigid, inflexible,
authoritarian, and hostile.
4. Teachers who behave offensively use sexual harassment techniques. They will
make offensive, sexual remarks to or about students. They will make
inappropriate comments about their clothing and dress. They will flirt, make
sexual innuendoes and be chauvinistic.
5. Teachers who behave offensively have a negative personality. They are
impersonal, impatient, cold, self-centered, complaining, and whiny. They act
superior, unpredictable, and moody.
6. Lastly, teachers who behave offensively show favoritism, partiality, bias, or
prejudice. They play favorites, act prejudiced against others, are
narrow-minded or close-minded.
Teacher I ndolence
The third category of teacher misbehaviors was labeled teacher indolence. Below is a
discussion of the six primary factors/misbehaviors that make up teacher indolence.
1. An indolent or lazy teacher is often absent from class. They simply do not
show up for class, use substitutes a lot, and have flimsy, vague excuses for
why they were absent.
2. An indolent teacher is often tardy for class. They rarely show up on time and
rarely have good excuses for being late.
3. An indolent teacher is often unprepared, disorganized or sloppy in their
preparation. They are not prepared, lose notes, forget test dates, forget
where they are in their content coverage, make assignments and do not
collect them, and generally seem sloppy, uncoordinated, or unorganized.
4. An indolent teacher is one who will deviate substantially from the syllabus or
Chapter Eleven - 149
course outline. For example, they change dates and assignments without any
warning or reason, are often behind schedule, do not follow guidelines stated
on a syllabus, and assign books, materials, and readings but never refer to
them.
5. An indolent teacher is often late in returning work to students. He or she is
late in returning papers, projects, assignments, tests, exams, and exercises.
They often forget to bring in graded papers and projects.
6. Lastly, an indolent teacher is often guilty of information underload. They are
too easy, do not give enough content to satisfy student needs, seem to skim
the content surface, give light and easy assignments.
I n conclusion, the three primary misbehavior categories are incompetence,
offensiveness, and indolence. A teacher must have a high number of these characteristics to
be considered a real misbehavior problem in the system. There could also be other
misbehaviors that teachers display that impact student learning such as keeping students
overtime, early dismissal, unresponsiveness to students' needs, inaccessibility to students
outside of class, not giving students extra help, not answering students' questions outside of
class, and giving exams which do not relate to the content or reading. Before we label
anyone a "misbehavior problem" let's be sure they have a number of the above
misbehaviors. Usually good teachers will realize when they are becoming misbehavior
problems and correct the situation, and poor teachers often don't realize they are
misbehavior problems.
I mplications for the Educational System
Again, misbehaving teachers are not usually the norms. Even some very fine
teachers have found themselves occasionally using some of the misbehaviors discussed
earlier. While the categories range from being absent to the use of poor grammar, the
"most frequently cited misbehavior types are (1) sarcasm and putdowns, (2) being absent,
(3) strays from subject, (4) unfair testing and, (5) boring lectures" (Kearney, et al., 1991,
p. 321). While it usually takes a number of the above misbehaviors in order to label a
teacher a misbehavior problem, occasionally one teacher could engage in one type of
misbehavior to an extreme. For example, if a teacher was constantly sarcastic, critical, and
hurtful to a student, we would consider this abusive and a form of teacher misbehavior.
Students will fail to learn as much from a teacher who displays incompetence than
from a teacher who is competent. Teachers' misbehaviors which represent incompetence
Chapter Eleven - 150
also represent basic teaching sl<ills. If a teacher does not have or use the basic teaching
skills, the students will probably learn less. Indicative of incompetence are unclear or
confusing lectures, apathy toward students, unfair testing, boring lectures, information
overloads, failure to know subject matter, poor accent, poor volume, and poor grammatical
skills. All of these are related to teaching skills and teaching effectiveness. If an instructor is
low or below competence level in the area of basic teaching skills, then he or she will
produce students who have learned less than other students.
The offensive teacher may use sarcasm, putdowns, profanity, and even hurtful
statements with her or his students. This type of teacher misbehavior teaches students a
very poor lesson. Often students will think they can behave like the teacher. Sometimes
students will model themselves on the offensive teacher. The offensive teacher has very
poor communication skills and unfortunately the students are the recipients of their poor
communication skills. Offensive teachers need to be told to "manage their mouths."
The indolent teacher will be perceived by the students as lazy, apathetic, uncaring,
unconcerned, and unenthusiastic. Indirectly students learn from these teachers. They learn
they don't have to do a job well in order to get paid or have a vacation. Many students will
model indolent teachers.
A teacher who exhibits many characteristics of the incompetent, offensive, or an
indolent instructor will probably have classroom problems. For example, they will have
higher incidents of discipline problems, higher student failure, lower student affect, and
lower student learning.
An instructor who misbehaves on a regular basis will become known throughout the
school system and the community. Often parents will come to see an administrator and
request their daughter or son be removed from that teacher's class and placed in a "good"
teacher's class.
The consequences are far reaching for the educational system that maintains and
supports an incompetent, offensive, indolent teacher. The old saying goes, "One bad apple
spoils the barrel." Often the only thing students, parents, and the community remember is
the "one bad teacher who spoiled the school." Incompetent, offensive, indolent instructors
reflect poorly on all of us. Many good educators are often stereotyped in a negative way
because of the misbehaviors of the few. Educational systems are often stereotyped in a
negative way because of the misbehaviors committed by a few instructors. In summary,
each of us and our systems have to work much harder to override the perceptions both
students and parents have of us because of one teacher who used many of the common
teacher misbehaviors.
Chapter Eleven - 151
References and Recommended Readings
Dolin, D. J. (1995). Ain't misbehavin': A study of teacher misbehaviors, related
communication behaviors, and student resistance. Dissertation completed at West
Virginia University, JVlorgantown, WV.
Doyle, W. (1986). Classroom organization and management. In M. C. Wittrock (Ed.),
Handboola of research on teaching. (3rd. Ed.), (pp. 392-431). New York: MacMillan
Hurt, H. T., Scott, M. D., & McCroskey, J. C. (1978). Communication in the classroom.
Reading, MA: Addison Wesley.
Kearney, P., Plax, T. G., Hays, E. R., Ivey, M. J. (1991). College teacher misbehaviors:
What students don't like about what teachers say and do. Communication Quarterly,
39, 309-324.
McCroskey, J . C. (1998). An introduction to communication in the classroom (2"^ Ed.).
Acton, MA: Tapestry Press.
McPherson, M. B., Kearney, P., & Plax, T. G. (2006). College teacher misbehaviors. In, T. P.
Mottet, V. P. Richmond, &]. C. McCroskey (Eds.), Handbook of instructional
communication: Rhetorical and relational perspectives {pp. 213-234). Boston: Allyn
& Bacon.
Richmond, V. P. (1990). Communication in the classroom: Power and motivation.
Communication Education, 39, 181-195.
Richmond, V. P., & McCroskey, J. C. (1992). Power in the classroom: Communication,
control, and concern. Hillsdale, NJ : Lawrence Eribaum Associates.
Richmond, V. P., & Roach, K. D. (1992). Power in the classroom: Seminal studies. I n V. P.
Richmond & J. C. McCroskey (Eds.), Power in the classroom: Communication,
control, and concern, (pp. 47-66). Hillsdale, NJ : Lawrence Eribaum Associates.
Stipek, D. & ' Kowalski, P. (1989). Learned helplessness in task-orienting versus
performance-orienting testing conditions. Journal of Educational Psychology, 81,
384-391.
Wanzer, M. & McCroskey, J. C. (1996). An exploratory investigation of teacher misbehaviors
in relationship to teacher characteristics and student impressions. Paper presented at
the Speech Communication Association, San Diego, CA.
Chapter Eleven - 152
TEACHER SELF-CONCEPT AND
COMMUNICATION
Chapter Twelve Objectives
1. Define teacher self-concept and identify tine tinree dimensions of teaciner self-
concept. Give an example of each type of teacher self-concept.
2. Discuss how a teacher's self-concept develops and who has control over a teacher's
self-concept.
3. Discuss the relationship between teacher self-concept and classroom outcomes.
4. Discuss five instructional communication methods for enhancing a teacher's self-
concept.
Have you hugged yourself lately? Teacher self-concept is paramount to effective
teaching and teacher satisfaction. Since a teacher's self-concept is with her or him in all that
the teacher does, it can obviously have an impact on the teacher's communication with
others. A teacher's communication is very reflective of her or his self-concept.
As in the chapter on student self-concept, we use the terms self-concept,
self-esteem, self- worth, and self-image interchangeably. A teacher's self-concept is the
teacher's total view of her or his cognitive, behavioral, and psychological capabilities as a
teacher. It is the teacher's view of her or himself in terms of overall self-worth in the
classroom. It is the teacher's assessment, evaluation, and valuation of her or himself in the
classroom environment. It is the teacher's perceptions, attitudes, beliefs, and values about
her or himself as a teacher and how others perceive her or him in the school environment.
Day in and day out a teacher's self-concept takes a beating. Students often don't like
or appreciate what a teacher is attempting to do for them. Administrators don't always feel
teachers are doing their jobs well. Parents are constantly suggesting teachers are not worth
what they are paid. And some teachers are constantly "beating up" on themselves about
their performance, classroom outcomes, and self- worth. It is not surprising that many
educators report lower self-concepts than people in most other professions. It is no wonder
many teachers are leaving education and seeking other more productive, less stressful,
positions. It is no wonder many teachers feel they are not performing as well as they did a
few years ago. In the last ten years, teachers' views of themselves have declined
significantly.
As we review the dimensions of teacher self-concept and development of teacher
self-concept, we should keep in mind that if our self-concept becomes too low we may not
Chapter Twelve - 153
be able to perform our jobs adequately, even if we are high achievers. Some low
self-concept teachers can perform well for a while because they have a high achievement
orientation, but eventually the lowered self-opinion may result in the achievement
motivation factor being lowered and then the teacher is doomed. Since much of what we do
is connected with our self-concept as a teacher, lowered teacher self-concept can impact
other portions of our life.
Dimensions of Teacher Self-Concept
Teacher self-concept is a multidimensional construct. There are three primary
dimensions. These dimensions are behavioral self, identity self, and judging self.
Behavioral Self
This dimension of teacher self-concept refers to the behavior of the teacher, or what
he or she does. The behavioral self is usually concerned with some action, movement, or
conduct. The following are examples of the behavioral self: Teachers teach, direct, grade,
lecture, instruct, motivate, control, help, manage, tell, talk, move, gaze, run, spell, walk,
joke, react to others' talk, write, draw, motion, watch, evaluate, design curricula, create
objectives, gives speeches, demonstrates, and present. This is by no means an exhaustive
list of all the behaviors by which teachers are judged or make judgments about themselves.
I dentity Self
This dimension of teacher self-concept refers to the identity of the teacher, a teacher
views or sees what or who he or she js in the school system. The identity self is usually
concerned with being identified with some category of people. The following are examples of
the identity self: Teachers see themselves as friends, helpers, prison guards, wardens,
managers, clowns, overpaid baby sitters, lowest persons in the system, good sports, grunts,
high achievers, motivators, mentally slow for being in this profession, caretakers, caring
persons, mom, dad, disciplinarian, grandmother, grandfather, instructional managers,
pedagogical managers, and professional educators. This is by no means an exhaustive list of
all the identities by which teachers are viewed or view themselves.
J udging Self
This dimension of teacher self-concept refers to the evaluations, judgments, or
opinion's teacher's make about themselves . It is how a teacher judges or evaluates what
they do and who they are. The following are examples of judgmental statements students
Chapter Twelve - 154
might make about themselves: I am a good teacher; I am a poor teacher; I am a bright
teacher; I am a dumb teacher; I am a quicl< teacher; I am a slow teacher; I am the worst
teacher in the school; I will never be as good as the other teachers; I am better than all
the other teachers; I am a poor manager; I am a good manager; I feel that I never do a
good job in the classroom, even though I try hard; I don't think I will ever make a truly
good teacher; or I am a very prepared, caring teacher. The judging self always has some
evaluative term or adjective attached to the teacher's description of what they do or who
they are. These statements will tell us how a teacher truly feels about her or himself.
If we listen to ourselves and our colleagues talking to others and talking to us, they
will often give us hints through their communication about how they view themselves. We
can use this information to help us adjust our communication so we confirm the positive
feelings our colleagues have and not reinforce the negative feelings they have about
themselves. If we generate (and our colleagues generate) too many negative statements
about ourselves (themselves), eventually we (they) will be what they say they are.
Development of Teacher Self-Concept
The development of teacher self-concept is a function of our own communication
about ourselves and the communication of others about us. We listen to others, we listen to
ourselves, and we begin to develop a concept as to who and what we are as teachers. We
must remember that if we are not good to ourselves, we are not going to be good to our
students. Our communication and others' communication directly impacts how we feel about
ourselves. Adier and Towne (1990) suggest "The self-concept is extremely subjective, being
almost totally a product of interaction with others" (p. 44). Below are a number of factors
which influence a teacher's self-concept development.
Reflected Appraisal
A reflected appraisal is also referred to as the looking-glass self which was postulated
by Cooley (1956). The looking-glass self is founded upon the idea that each of us looks in a
mirror and sees us as others see us. In other words, reflected appraisal or the looking-glass
self means a teacher develops a teacher self-concept that correlates with the way they think
others see them. For example, if society sees teachers as useful, valuable, worthwhile, and
important then, teachers are likely to feel useful, valuable, worthwhile, and important.
Whereas, if society views teachers as useless, less valuable, less worthwhile, and less
important than other professions, then educators might feel the way society views them.
This is a very valid factor which impacts teacher self-concept. Teachers' self-concepts are
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often a product of the positive and negative verbal and nonverbal statements they have
received throughout their teaching career.
Beginning teachers usually are only exposed to positive verbal and nonverbal
communication about the teaching profession. These messages are usually intentional so
that new or novice teachers can enter the classroom with a self-confident feeling and a
positive regard for their chosen career. However, as the new teacher remains in the system,
they begin to hear more negative comments and fewer positives about their chosen career
and they begin to question their chosen profession. Everyday teachers are bombarded with
many verbal and nonverbal messages which tell them what others think of their profession.
We are assaulted with messages from every communication domain, human and media. For
example, we read about the "poor state of education in our nation." We hear about how
educational administrators and teachers are being paid more but students' achievement
scores are lower than ever. We are told by people in our environment that teaching is a
dead end job with no rewards. Appraisals like these are the "mirrors" by which teachers
begin to know and develop a teacher self-concept.
It is extremely devastating to us and our self-concepts when a "significant other,"
such as a spouse, friend, another teacher, supervisor, parent, mentor, or child, whose
opinions we respect and value, communicates evaluations to us that are less than positive
about our profession. For example, a spouse communicates that her or his job is more
important or more critical than the teacher's job, because they bring home more money. We
have often seen cases of teachers pounding on the self-esteem of other teachers by
suggesting "teachers who teach in the higher grades (6th on up) have more difficult jobs
than teachers who teach in the lower grades (5th on down). In fact, one Kindergarten
teacher was moved from her teaching assignment to the first grade, and another teacher in
the same school remarked "it's about time you got promoted to a real grade." In another
case, a high school teacher was telling a first grade teacher about his difficult teaching job
and suggested her job was easier than his. She replied, "You don't know how difficult first
grade is until you hold a little child in your lap who was hurt on the playground and they
'pee' (the colorful expression she used indicated her level of irritation!) all over you." The
high school teacher was rather stunned and admitted maybe he didn't know everything that
went into being a first grade teacher. As teachers, we cannot allow the opinions of
significant others to impact our jobs and our self-esteems. If we do, we will not be good to
ourselves, in turn we will not be good to our students.
Social Comparison
Chapter Twelve - 156
We have reviewed how others' messages and opinions mold and shape teacher
self-concept. Teacher self-concept is also formed by social comparison. Social comparison is
when we evaluate and judge how we and our profession compare with others. We typically
decide whether we are "inferior or superior" to others by comparing ourselves to others.
In socially comparing whether we are inferior or superior to others, we often ask
some of the following questions: Is our profession as good as others? Is our profession as
well- respected as some other professions? Is our profession as highly valued as other
professions? Are we perceived as intelligent or stupid? Are we perceived as educators or
babysitters? Are we perceived as respected persons or overpaid wardens? Are we viewed in
a positive or negative light by others?
Many of the above comparisons are unfair comparisons. We compare, and others
compare us to inappropriate reference groups. For example, we will probably never be paid
as well as some business executives. We will never be as respected as the Pope. We will
never be perceived as positively as some more socially desirable groups. We cannot
constantly compare ourselves to others or we won't be good in our classrooms. Comparing
ourselves to inappropriate referent groups or persons is like attempting to compare
ourselves to Hulk Hogan or Christie Brinkley. It's like attempting to compare us to Mel
Gibson or Elizabeth Taylor. Often in school systems we compare ourselves with other
schools in the same systems. We compare ourselves to the "best" and then assume we are
"inferior" because we are not the best. Simply because we are not the "best" doesn't mean
we are worthless. However, we are guilty as are many other professions of constantly
comparing ourselves with inappropriate referent groups and arriving at the conclusion "we
are no good." When we judge ourselves against unreasonable standards, we are going to
judge ourselves as inferior. Often new teachers compare themselves with the better skilled,
veteran teachers and conclude they can never be "as good" as the veteran teachers.
We will also compare ourselves to others in terms of being "like others" or "different
from" others. This is another unfair comparison. We simply cannot assume because we are
different and not like others that we are not as good. For example, many veteran teachers
will "pound" or "beat up" on themselves by comparing themselves to younger teachers.
They make statements like, "when I was a younger teacher, I could be more energetic."
This is an unfair comparison. A veteran teacher may be different from a younger teacher,
they may be older but this doesn't mean because they are different they are poor teachers.
Again, we cannot compare ourselves against referent groups where there is no comparison
needed. We may be like some groups in our school and we may be different from some
groups in our school but this doesn't mean we are better or worse. We may be like some
Chapter Twelve - 157
professional groups and we may be different from some professional groups but this doesn't
mean we are better or worse.
Past Experiences
So far we have said that teacher self-concept develops as a function of reflected
appraisal and social comparison. Germane to the development of teacher self-concept is our
past experience with others. Swensen (1973) stated that "our perceptions are a function of
our past experiences with other people; they affect the way we react to them" (p. 154).
As teachers our perception of ourselves and our communication about ourselves is in
large part because of our past experiences with other persons. For example, when we are
talking about some incident at school or discussing a school happening, our spouse nods her
or his head as we talk, we might interpret this as a polite gesture they always use when we
are talking "school" and that they don't really care about what we are saying. Or when we
are talking with our supervisor about a concern we have and he or she keeps saying "uh
huh" we know from past experiences they are only half-listening. In the past, we have seen
them use the "uh huh" phrase to give polite attention to many other people with concerns.
If many of our past experiences with others about our profession have been apathetic,
uncaring, unconcerned, or harsh experiences, we may begin to form a low opinion of our
profession and ourselves. If we have not received some rewards in the past for being in the
profession of educating students and being professional educators, then we may develop a
low teacher self-concept.
Environmental Factors
Teacher self-concept can develop as function of reflected appraisal, social
comparison, and past experiences. Environmental factors may also lend a hand in producing
a negative or positive teacher self-image. Environmental factors are often the roles and
status that we hold in our surroundings. For example, we are teachers, and often this word
carries the meaning of "low status" with it. But often it carries the meaning of "high status"
with it. For example, one teacher told us that he left teaching and moved to another career
for eight years. During his eight years, several of the employees were in "awe" that he was
a teacher. In fact, he overhead one employee telling another, "there goes the teacher, in a
few months, he will be our next supervisor." Environmental factors are like the wind. They
are constantly shifting and changing. One year teachers can have high status and respected
roles, the next year teachers can have low status and be unrespected. We have to be able
to maintain a healthy self-concept in surroundings that are constantly changing.
Chapter Twelve - 158
The next factor which impacts teacher self-concept is a relatively significant
construct which is under the total control of the teacher. This factor is known as the "vulture
variable."
Vultures and Vulture Statements
According to Simon (1977), a vulture is a noun, pronounced (v'ul-cher). Vultures are
"large birds of prey that . . . subsist chiefly or entirely on dead flesh." Simon allegorically
suggests each person (each of us, each teacher) has a flock of "psychological vultures"
which we allow to make circles over our heads daily and pluck, pick, or tear away at our
self-concepts. These vultures are constantly perched overhead, waiting to swoop down and
tear away at our already dying self-concepts. These vultures are waiting to feast on our
self- concepts. All they have to do is to circle patiently and we will give them something to
prey on. We are constantly making vulture statements or negative self-statements to
ourselves about ourselves, our actions, and our profession.
While we may be a healthy looking, productive pedagogical manager, many of us are
carrying big vultures around on our shoulders. In fact, some of us have vultures large
enough to consume an entire school! Our self-concepts, the opinions we have of ourselves,
our private self- rating systems, are constantly being put down by the negative self-
statements we make about ourselves either to others or to ourselves. We are constantly
communicating put-downs, downers, or beating up on ourselves. Let's look at one teacher
enter the vicious vulture cycle.
Sandy is a healthy looking, very pleasant teacher at a school in your area. To look at
Sandy all you would see is a confident, in control, caring teacher. She is always neat, clean,
poised, pleasant, and ready to go into her classroom. She is liked and respected by her
students, peers, and administers. However, above Sandy are several large, well-fed vultures
waiting to swoop down on her self-concept. These vultures sense and smell some
weaknesses or sense of insecurity in Sandy that drives them to rip, tear, shred, slash,
lacerate, or pull apart her teacher self-concept. The following are characteristic statements
that vultures wait to hear so they can attack:
■ Oh boy, do I look awful today, I look like I've been up all night.
■ Oh, this is going to be an awful day.
■ I've already messed up. I left my students' graded exams at home.
■ Boy, I should never have gotten out of bed this morning.
■ Gee whiz. I did an awful job of teaching that unit.
■ Why can't I do certain things as well as Mr. Smith next door?
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Why am I always so dumb?
I can't believe I'm a teacher, why I have the mentality of a worm.
I don't know why I ever thought I could teach.
I can't get anything right.
Good grief, what am I doing here? Why didn't I select any easy job?
I am going nowhere, doing nothing, I am a failure at teaching.
In fact, I am a failure in most things I attempt.
Teachers who use many of the put-downs listed above, or similar put-downs, are
going to have big, fat, healthy vultures perched on their shoulders. I n fact their vultures will
be so fat, they can barely move through the school hallways. Most teachers have used
vulture statements on occasions. Take a few minutes and list some of the vulture
statements you have said to yourself or another teacher about yourself.
Many teachers and other persons ask, where do vultures come from? Simon
responds with "They come from only one place. They grow out of other people's criticisms,
from the negative responses to what we do and say, and the way we act" (p. 48-49). It is a
shame but people tend to selectively remember the negative messages others give them,
rather than the positive ones. As they add up the negative, they find there is more bad in
themselves than good. The more we beat up or tear down ourselves as teachers, the more
likely we are to destroy our teacher self-concept. We will eventually have a negative, rather
than a positive, teacher self-concept. Of course if we are feeding vultures in other facets of
our lives, we may very well be driving ourselves into a never ending, never winning cycle of
battling vultures at every step in our lives. If we are beating up on ourselves for being poor
parents, poor children, poor role models, poor shoppers, poor money managers, poor
homemakers, poor drivers, poor house cleaners, and poor human beings then we might
never have a reasonably good picture of ourselves.
It is no wonder that many teachers are afflicted with the vicious vulture syndrome.
They are constantly being put-down, hearing negative criticism, and then putting
themselves down. Too much of the above, too often will eventually lead to self-destruction.
There are several things teachers can do to ward vultures off or eliminate vultures. First, we
need to feel better about ourselves. If we occasionally stop and think about or write down a
few good things about ourselves, we are plucking the vulture's feathers. Second, start
reinforcing the good in your fellow teachers and in your students. While it sounds corny, the
better you make another feel, the better you will feel. Stop putting others down and you will
not only feel better but you will be plucking away at your vulture's feathers. Third, "you
Chapter Twelve - 160
pluck feathers every time you block a self- put- down and start thinking positively" (p. 40).
Fourth, "you pluck feathers when you learn to turn your head around and use the force of
the old, negative way of thinking about yourself to run over self- put-downs and work at
making positive points" (p. 42). In conclusion, each of us needs a can of "vulture off"
repellent. If we can pluck the vulture's feathers, one by one, then we may be able to retain
a healthy teacher self-concept. It we cannot pluck the vulture feathers, one by one, then we
may never have a healthy teacher self-concept.
Those of us who keep our vultures under control and underfed have what we call
"anorexic vultures." If we have anorexic vultures, then we are likely to have a healthy
teacher self-concept. If we have "overfed, fat, obese vultures," then we are likely to have
an unhealthy teacher self-concept. Our goal then must be to keep the vultures off our
shoulders and out of instructional environments. If we can begin to feel good in one facet of
our life, we might begin to be able to manage the other facets in our lives that cause us to
have fat vultures. The old rule applies here, "one day at a time" in order to improve our
self-concepts. Each day ask yourself, "How fat or how skinny is my vulture?" If it is fat,
reduce it before you go to school. If it is skinny, don't feed it when you get to school. Figure
13.1 demonstrates the characteristics of teachers with "fat vultures" or poor self-concepts
versus teachers with "anorexic vultures" or healthy self-concepts.
HEALTHY SELF-CONCEPT UNHEALTHY SELF-CONCEPT
Influences students positively Influences students negatively
Projects a positive, confident view of one's Projects a negative self-image
self
Positive influence on student's learning Negative influence on student's learning
Composed and in control Nervous, anxious, timid, or out of control
Fewer misbehavior problems More misbehavior problems
Fewer student misbehavior problems More student misbehavior problems
More effective communicators I neffective communicators
Puts students at ease Makes students tense and anxious
More productive Less productive
Can say "no" to students without backlash Afraid to say "no" because of student
response or they will lose their popularity
with students
Figure 13.1 Characteristics of Teachers With Healthy or Unhealthy Self-Concepts
Chapter Twelve - 161
In conclusion, teachers with big, fat, healthy vultures may have a lower teacher
self-concept than teachers with skinny, anorexic vultures. Communication with others and
ourselves is the key to a healthier, stronger teacher self-concept.
Strategies for I ncreasing Teacher Self-Concept
One of the methods for improving self-concept is to use a combination of cognitive
restructuring and coping statements. We need to cognitively restructure or alter the way we
think of ourselves. We literally need to think different thoughts when we begin to think
negative thoughts. At the same time we should make mental statements to ourselves about
how well we have done, not how poorly we have done. For example, instead of saying "I
sure did a lousy job teaching that unit," we should say " I did the best I could with the unit;
next time I will know how to improve the unit and teach it better." In other words, as soon
as the vulture begins to swoop to pluck at our self-esteem, we swat it away by using
positive self-statements.
Another method for improving self-concept is to take a "walk down memory lane."
We should sit down, think, and then write about the positive experiences we have had in
our educational experiences. Remember, we dwell on the negative too much. We are very
good at punishing ourselves. Here we are suggesting that we dwell on the positive.
Occasionally when working with teachers we ask them (anonymously, of course) to write
about a positive classroom experience in their careers that made them feel good about
being a teacher. Here are a few of their responses:
One first grade teacher wrote: A six-year-old boy in my class that had not
talked the whole year in Kindergarten and who refused to interact with others
at play time really turned around in my class. While I can't take full credit
because I think he matured some through the year, I did apply what I had
learned in our Communication Program. It worked. He became one of the
most well-liked boys in the class. The first time he hugged me brought a tear
to my eye. He, in fact, talked a great deal the last quarter of the year!
An adult educator wrote: I worked for two years to convince a waitress I knew that
she had the potential to attend and succeed at college. She finally started classes
two years ago. She has been an "A" student, loves bookkeeping. Recently she was
able to leave her low paying waitress job for a bookkeeper's job with a credit union.
Her new position includes good pay, benefits, and potential promotion.
Chapter Twelve - 162
A substitute teacher wrote: A group of special problem children remembers who I am
and never fail to say hello, or give me a hug when I am in their school. Their regular
teacher told me that this was unusual. She said, "These kids usually don't remember
who the substitute is."
Another teacher wrote: A few years ago I saw a lady in a local store. She said, "Mrs.
Jones, you probably don't remember me, but you had my daughter several years
ago. Her name was Jane." Her mother went on to say that I had been one of her
favorite teachers and whenever anyone mentioned teachers, Jane would give an
impressive description of her favorite teacher. It was a pleasure to be considered
'the best teacher J ane had ever had.'
Occasionally, generate a list of words that you would use to describe yourself as a
teacher. Attempt to use positive words that truly describe you and your teaching style. If
you cannot generate any positive words, then you need to either work on your self-esteem
or your teaching style. You decide which needs the work.
Teachers should take pride in degrees earned, awards, and any honors bestowed
upon them. We should display our degrees, awards, and honors in our classroom. Often the
students and parents are not aware of the honors and degrees we have received. We should
display certificates from any education- related workshops we have attended or coordinated.
Other professionals display their honors, so should we.
You might try to be less harsh on yourself when you have made a mistake. Mistakes
occur. Some are more critical than others. Look at your error, evaluate its potential harm,
correct it, and then move onto other things. Often we blow our own errors out of proportion,
letting them blur and impact our future actions and behaviors. Unless the mistake is
catastrophic or not correctable, we should correct it the best way possible and move on. If
correcting a mistake means apologizing to a student or colleague, then do it. They'll know
you made a mistake and never corrected it if you don't correct it. And they may remember
you and the mistake for the rest of their lives.
We should make an effort to reduce negative self-statements in other areas of our
lives. Most of us are critical and unforgiving of our character flaws as educators as it is, we
don't need to be constantly feeding ourselves negative self-statements about other areas.
For example, if you are overweight, there is no reason to constantly remind yourself
(particularly in front of others) that you are overweight. You know it and they can see it.
Chapter Twelve - 163
If we can develop a sense of humor about some of our problem areas, then we might
be able to cope more effectively. Often a sense of humor will soften or lessen the vulture
impact on our self-concept. We are not suggesting a dark or black sense of humor that
feeds the vulture, we are simply suggesting having a sense of humor about some of your
daily encounters. Occasionally, laughing something off will help you recuperate or keep the
vultures from going into a feeding frenzy.
Lastly, if we establish a supportive, positive, highly affective classroom environment
for our students, then our self-images will be stronger and more secure. As the classroom
goes, so does our self-esteem. If the class goes well, so does our self-esteem. If the class
goes poorly, so does our self-esteem. We are a reflection of our students. Only the most
insensitive teacher is not a reflection of her or his students. Of course, this suggestion is
easy to make, but difficult to implement. It takes teacher planning, care, good instructional
approaches, sensitivity, and effective communication to have a supportive classroom
climate.
References and Recommended Readings
Adier, R. B., & Towne, N. (1990). Looking out, Looking in. (6th Ed.). Chapter 2, Forth
Worth, TX: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
AdIer, R. B., Rosenfeld, L. B., & Towne, N. (1992). Interplay: The process of interpersonal
communication. (5th Ed.). Chapter 2. Forth Worth, TX: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
Canter, L., & Canter, M. (1994). The high performing teacher: Avoiding burnout and
increasing your motivation. Santa Monica, CA: Lee Canter and Associates.
Cooley, C. H. (1956). Human nature and social order. Glencoe, IL: The Free Press.
Laing, R. D. (1962). The self and others. Chicago: Ouadrangle Press.
McCroskey, J. C. (1998). An introduction to communication in the classroom (2"'^ Ed.).
Acton, MA: Tapestry Press.
McCroskey, J . C, Richmond, V. P., & Stewart, R. A. (1986). One on one: The foundations of
interpersonal communication. Englewood Cliffs, NJ : Prentice Hall.
McCroskey, J. C, & Richmond, V. P. (1996). Fundamentals of human communication: An
interpersonal perspective. Prospect Heights, ILL: Waveland Press.
Mead, G. H. (1934). Mind, self and society. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Peck, H. G., Jr. (1996). Reaction paper for Counseling 340. Paper completed for Counseling
340 at West Virginia University.
Richmond, V. P. (1990). Communication in the classroom: Power and motivation.
Communication Education, 39, 181-195.
Chapter Twelve - 164
Richmond, V. P., & McCroskey, J. C. (Eds.). (1992). Power in the classroom:
Communication, control, and concern. Hillsdale, NJ : Lawrence Eribaum.
Schutz, W. (1958). FIRO: Fundamental interpersonal relations orientation. New York: Holt,
Rinehart & Winston.
Schutz, W. (1966). The interpersonal underworld. Palo Alto, CA: Science and Behavior
Books.
Simon, S. B. (1977). Vulture: A modern allegory on the art of putting oneself down. Niles,
I L: Argus Communications.
Swensen, Jr., Clifford H. (1973). Introduction to interpersonal relations. Glenview, I L: Scott,
Foresman & Company.
Chapter Twelve - 165
I NCREASI NG CLASSROOM AFFECT THROUGH
TEACHER COMMUNICATION STYLE
Chapter Thirteen Objectives
1. Define and discuss four of tine components Teaciner Communication Style (TCS) .
2. Explain the importance of teacher clarity and the basic approaches one can take to
improve clarity in the classroom.
3. Define "teacher immediacy" and how one can be more immediate in the classroom
using a range of nonverbal behaviors.
4. Understand the importance of humor in the classroom.
Good teachers make good students. Good students make good teachers. Every
teacher has a style of communicating. A teacher cannot not have a style of communicating.
Even when a teacher is attempting not to communicate, there is a link to communication
and communicator style. This chapter will explore the concept of communicator style, types
of communicator styles, teacher communication style, and educational outcomes.
Communicator Style Concept
Norton provided the theoretical framework and foundation for the construct of
communicator style. He said, "style in the context of interpersonal communication is the
way one communicates" (p. 47). He continued to define communicator style "as the way
one verbally, nonverbally, and paraverbally interacts to signal how literal meaning should be
taken, interpreted, filtered, or understood" (p. 58). He suggested communicator style is
marked by the following characteristics: It is observable, multifaceted, multi collinear, and
variable, but sufficiently patterned. Communicator style is visible. It is visible, apparent, and
observable. Norton states:
If one is said to have an animated style of communicating, then it is expected
that certain kinds of liveliness can be observed that might be operationalized
as a function of frequency of gestures, body movement, and actively
expressive eye and facial behavior, (p. 47)
Every person, every student, every teacher has an observable style of communicating. One
teacher might be more open and attentive than another teacher. While another teacher
Chapter Thirteen - 166
might be more responsive and immediate tinan her or inis close colleagues. While some
styles have more distinctive, more visible characteristics than others, all communicator
styles are observable.
Communicator style is multi faceted. Each person does not necessarily have one
style, but aspects of many styles. A person can simultaneously communicate with a variety
of complimentary communicator styles. For example, a teacher might simultaneously
communicate in a friendly, attentive, and relaxed style throughout a class period. This is not
to suggest that the teacher is moody or unpredictable. It simply says that each of us has a
communicator style with many facets and we can communicate with others using a
combination of communicator styles.
Communicator style is multi collinear. Norton states "this means that many style
variables are not independent from each other; variance is shared" (p. 48). For example, to
suggest that a teacher is dominant and dramatic suggests that the essential elements in the
dominant style overlap with the essential elements of the dramatic style. If the dominant
style requires more talk time and the dramatic style requires overstating, joking, and stories
that heighten interest, then it is easy to see that they might be the same. However, a
teacher can be dramatic without being dominant and vice versa. Norton concludes by
stating that:
The combination of styles can have a synergistic impact. A person with a
dominant, relaxed style exudes confidence. A person with a nondominant,
nonrelaxed style might signal insecurity. Any blend of styles can combine
synergistically to signal a unique metamessage. The communicator has an
incredibly high number of stylistic combinations that can give form to literal
meaning, (pps. 48-49)
This synergistic blend of communicator styles would suggest that teachers can send a
strong communication message to their students. In addition, the right combination of
communicator styles could be very effective in communicating content and affect to
students.
Lastly, communicator style is variable, but sufficiently patterned. While each person
probably has a primary communicator style, he or she can, on occasion, deviate from his or
her own primary communicator style. Norton states, "a style profile is not an absolute
portrayal of the way a person communicates" (p. 49). Situational demands might influence
a person to alter her or his primary communicator style. Norton concludes by stating, "In
Chapter Thirteen - 167
short, most style profiles are variable, but sufficiently patterned to create resistant
expectations" (p. 50).
In conclusion, communicator style is observable, multifaceted, multi collinear, and
variable, but sufficiently patterned. The more a student knows and communicates with a
teacher, the more likely the student will be able to predict the primary communicator styles
of that teacher. The more a student is acquainted and communicates with a teacher, the
more likely the student will be able to detect and understand deviations in the teacher's
communicator style. A teacher's recurring communicator style is more likely to
communicate expectations than a teacher's immediate, current style. A teacher's
communicator style may be interpreted differently by different students. Lastly, teachers
who seem to have no consistent, primary communicator style may be perceived by students
as moody and unpredictable. For example, while many comedians attempt to be flexible,
adaptable, and different, if you observe closely they still have a primary communicator style
which varies according to the audience, situation, and content. This leads us to a discussion
of the subconstructs, dimensions, facets, factors, or types of communicator style. Many of
the descriptions below are based on the originals works of Norton.
Types of Communicator Styles
There are nine primary types of communicator style. We will discuss the style types
and their corresponding communication behaviors and characterizations below.
Dominant Style
The dominant communicator style is reflected by the verbal and nonverbal
components which signal a communicator is "in charge" or dominant. For example, a person
using a dominant communicator style speaks very frequently, comes on strong, dominates
informal and formal conversations, takes charge of conversations, directs conversations,
exhibits dominant nonverbal behaviors such as vocally loud, speaking faster, little
hesitating, dominant movements and gestures, and controlling eye contact. The person who
uses a dominant communicator style is viewed by others as in control, competent,
confident, self-assured, forceful, and competitive.
Dramatic Style
The dramatic communicator style is reflected by the verbal and nonverbal
components which signal a communicator is vivid, striking, attempting to emphasize a
point, or be dramatic. For example, a person using a dramatic communicator style has very
Chapter Thirteen - 168
picturesque speech; verbally or nonverbally exaggerates to emphasize a point; acts out,
tells jokes, anecdotes, or stories; highlights, stresses, and emphasizes points quite
frequently. They may also overstate; understate; tell fantasies; use metaphors, allegories,
sarcasm, or satire; and regularly use nonverbal behaviors which assist in the dramatization.
The person who uses a dramatic style is viewed by others as memorable, visible,
observable, attractive, and popular. However, many persons can only use this intensely
vivid style on occasion. If used often, it may become wearing not only on the listener but on
the speaker.
Contentious Style
The contentious style is reflected by the verbal and nonverbal components which
signal a communicator is argumentative. For example, a person using a contentious style
has an argumentative tone, has a difficult time stopping her or himself from arguing, enjoys
arguing, often shows others proof to support their argument, insists upon preciseness from
others in arguments, is quick to challenge others, and is generally quarrelsome. The person
who uses a contentious style might be perceived in two diverse ways. They may be viewed
as competent and confident like the dominant style or they may be viewed as unpleasant,
rude, and aggressive. If used often, the contentious style might alienate individuals in the
communicator's immediate surroundings.
Animated Style
The animated style is reflected by the verbal and nonverbal components which signal
a communicator is lively, spirited, or outgoing. For example, a person using an animated
style is very nonverbally and verbally expressive, uses many expansive gestures, and uses
many facial expressions, gestures, body movements, and vocal variety. Their emotional
state is generally known by those in their immediate surroundings, and they are highly
expressive communicators. They may be viewed as outgoing, lively, memorable, excitable,
and distinctive. People generally enjoy being around and communicating with an animated
person. However, even animation can be taken to the extreme. If a person is animated at
all times, they may be perceived by others as jumpy, emotionally immature, easily excited,
and easily aroused.
Impression Leaving Style
This style variable refers to "whether a person is remembered because of the
communicative stimuli he or she projects" (Norton, 1983, p. 68). Impression leaving
Chapter Thirteen - 169
depends on the source communicating cues tinat leave an impression and tine receiver
receiving and processing tine cues tinat leave an impression. If either fails to adequately
perform her or his function, then impression leaving may be nonexistent. Impression
leaving is when a person's speech or style of presenting has left an impression on another,
or the way a person presents her or himself leaves an impression on others. People whose
communication activity leaves an impression have been memorable in some way. Of course,
most persons want to leave a positive impression on others.
Relaxed Style
The relaxed style is reflected by the verbal and nonverbal components which signal a
communicator is calm, cool, and collected. For example, a person using a relaxed style is
very nonverbally and verbally relaxed, controls nervous mannerisms, calm while speaking
both orally and physically, and is generally viewed as a relaxed, calm, communicator. These
persons are free from nervous mannerisms, habits, or behaviors. Their voice is calm,
anxiety free and non anxious. Persons who use a relaxed style of communicating are
perceived to be calm, competent, easy going, confident, and comfortable with themselves
and the communication situation.
Attentive Style
The attentive style is reflected by the verbal and nonverbal components which signal
a communicator is listening, being attentive, and is attending to or concentrating on the
communication situation at hand. For example, an attentive person can repeat back what
another has said, be empathetic with listeners, listen very carefully, appear as if they are
listening, and react in such a way that it is clear they were listening intently and earnestly.
Persons who use an attentive style of communicating are perceived to be listener-oriented,
caring, effective communicators, empathetic, and good.
Open Style
The open style is reflected by the verbal and nonverbal components which signal a
communicator is open, revealing, and honest. For example, people using an open style are
very nonverbally and verbally open. They express emotions, attitudes, and feelings quite
frequently. They often reveal personal, perhaps intimate things about themselves to others.
It seems that the open style, like the contentious style, is a double-edged sword. Persons
with an open communicator style may be viewed as highly self-disclosive and revealing,
uninhibited, unsecretive, unreserved, and perhaps conversational. On the other hand, they
Chapter Thirteen - 170
could also be considered as too revealing, too open, too personal, too intimate, too
outspoken, too frank, and unreserved.
Friendly Style
The friendly style is reflected by the verbal and nonverbal components which signal a
communicator is outgoing, likes communication, likes her or his audience, is at ease with
the audience, and is fond of and friendly with the audience. For example, a person using a
friendly style is very nonverbally and verbally friendly: they smile a lot; laugh; show
affection for others; show encouragement and support for others; express admiration for
others; use others' first names; acknowledge others' verbal and nonverbal contributions;
and are generally positive toward others. Persons with a friendly communicator style are
usually perceived as sociable and outgoing, and are well-liked and well-received by others.
Precise Style
The precise style is reflected by the verbal and nonverbal components which signal a
communicator is careful, directed, focused, and precise in their presentation. For example, a
person using a precise style is very nonverbally and verbally directed, unambiguous, clear,
focused, and pointed, often using nonverbal cues to emphasize or highlight certain valuable
points in her or his communication.
It is clear from the work on communicator styles that style influences how others see
the communicator. It is evident that one's style influences how others react to us. It is
evident that style may determine whether a receiver reacts negatively or positively toward a
source. And, it is evident that communicator style could have far reaching implications for
teachers in the classroom. Every teacher has a primary communicator style with recurring
other styles that he or she can use effectively, ineffectively, appropriately, or
inappropriately. The next section reviews what we mean by teacher communication style
and the primary components of an effective teacher communication style. This discussion is
based upon the original work of Norton's in the communicator style arena.
Teacher Communication Style
The definition of teacher communication style is based upon and derived from the
communicator style construct. Teacher Communication Style (TCS) is ttie teactier's ability to
verbally and nonverbally communicate effectively and affectively with the learner so that
the learner's opportunity for optimal academic achievement is enhanced and their behavior
is managed. Based upon the research by Norton in educational environments, we have
Chapter Thirteen -171
come to the conclusion that six of the communicator style components are essential to
effective and affective teacher communication style. The six communication style
components which comprise the teachers' communication style construct are: the friendly,
precise, attentive, lively and animated, relaxed, and dramatic styles. Below is a discussion
of each based upon educational situations.
The friendly component of teacher communication style assumes that the teacher is
friendly, outgoing, and sociable with the students. It also suggests the teacher confirms,
supports, and encourages students in positive ways. The teacher who is friendly talks with
and interacts with the students rather than teaching at or talking at the students.
The precise component of teacher communication style assumes that the teacher is
precise, directed, and guiding as to the content the students should or should not know. It
also suggests the teacher instructs in an unambiguous, precise style. Their communication
is precise, orderly, coordinated, and to the point. These teachers are very good at
explaining content, giving content, using examples to assist in their teaching, and being in
control of their subject matter.
The attentive component of teacher communication style assumes that the teacher
is attentive, listener-oriented, and focused. The attentive teacher is able to convey to the
student that he or she is being listened to and what he or she says is being concentrated
upon or focused upon by the teacher. In fact, the teacher demonstrates this by
incorporating students' remarks and comments into the presentations and lectures. The
attentive teacher is alert, actively listening, and actively absorbing what students have to
say.
The lively, animated component of teacher communication style assumes that the
teacher is lively, spirited, and enthusiastic both verbally and nonverbally. The teacher's
nonverbal and verbal behaviors indicate he or she is actively involved in the art of teaching.
Lively, animated teachers are more likely to be remembered by their students than
nonlively, unanimated teachers. Lively, animated teachers are also more likely to visibly
expend energy and movement to keep their students' attention when explaining content.
These teachers are saying, "listen up and attend to this subject matter."
The relaxed component of teacher communication style assumes that the teacher is
calm, in control, and collected in her or his communication behaviors. This teacher is not
hindered by nervous mannerisms, habits, or movements. They are seen by their students as
in control, coordinated, competent, and confident.
The dramatic component of teacher communication style assumes that the teacher
is occasionally outlandish and communicates for heightened effect. They often overstate.
Chapter Thirteen - 172
understate, or alter the literal meaning of content for heightened student awareness and
attention. In addition, this teacher may use overstatement, understatement, wild
comparisons, outlandish stories, metaphors, objects, pictures, movements, anecdotes,
puns, jokes, sarcasm, and satire to secure students' attention.
It is important to note that while each teacher may exhibit a primary teacher
communication style, a teacher's style can change based upon the situation and the
audience. All of the above style variables are positively related to positive classroom
outcomes, positive communication outcomes, and teacher effectiveness. While the dramatic
style may only be used occasionally, if used in a timely fashion, it can be just as effective, if
not more so than some of the other teacher communication styles, at making a point.
A good or effective teacher who uses teacher communication style effectively and
affectively can impact the classroom in a variety of positive ways. A mixed or moody
teacher can negatively impact the classroom in a variety of ways, and a poor teacher, one
who doesn't employ effective teacher communication style components, can impact the
classroom in negative ways. A teacher with good teacher communication style has a positive
impact on students' cognitive and affective learning, has fewer student discipline problems,
has students with higher self-concepts, has an increase in the amount of student feedback
and honesty of feedback. The student/teacher relationship is more positive, the
student/student relationship is more positive, and teacher satisfaction and self-concept
increases as opposed to the mixed or poor teacher. The mixed or moody teacher has a
negative impact on all student/teacher relationship variables and learning. Because of the
unpredictable style of the teacher, the students become learned helpless and very little
learning or communication takes places in the classroom. The poor teacher might have a
moderate increase in students' cognitive learning; the student learns in spite of the
teacher's, poor, dull style, but otherwise the impact is negative on all student/teacher and
learning variables.
To summarize, the six primary components of teacher communication style are
rarely observed in isolation. In other words, the teacher's communication styles are
inextricably related and are often used simultaneously. An effective teacher can "effectively
communicate" with her or his students by using a variety of the teacher communication
styles without being perceived by their students as moody or unpredictable. Every teacher
manifests some degree of friendliness versus unfriendliness, preciseness versus
non-preciseness, attentiveness versus non-attentiveness, liveliness versus non-liveliness,
calmness versus agitation, and dramatic versus non-dramatic. Each teacher must learn
which teacher communication style to use in which instructional situation. Teachers who do
Chapter Thirteen - 173
not use the appropriate teacher communication styles are ineffective teachers. Norton
suggests this conclusion by stating, "ineffective teachers are oblivious to the impact of style
or do not know how to make the style variables work for them" (p. 241). Effective teachers
are friendly, precise, attentive, lively, relaxed, and dramatic. Whereas, ineffective teachers
are unfriendly, imprecise, inattentive, unlively, agitated, and undramatic. In conclusion,
teacher communication style is essential to positive instruction, positive communication
between teacher and student, and positive communication between students. Teachers who
do not possess effective teacher communication styles may be perceived as ineffective
(perhaps even misbehaving) teachers.
Teacher Communicator Behaviors That Build Affect
A number of communicative behaviors have been shown to actually build affect in
the classroom. This section is going to examine three specific sets of behaviors that have
been directly linked to building affect in the classroom: clarity, immediacy, and humor.
Teacher Clarity
We all remember times when our teachers were nonsensical when they were
teaching during class. Imagine sitting in a classroom when a teacher throws out these two
phrases: "tintintibulation of the metallic cylinders" and "exuberance on the celestial sphere."
While these two phrases may seem a little daunting at first, the actual meanings are quite
simplistic. The first phrase can commonly be said as "jingle bells", and the second phrase is
"Joy to the World." These two common Christmas carols can serve as a good example of
the problem of teacher clarity. The first two phrases, although correct, are neither
meaningful nor clear to your average person. Instead, the use of the second two phrases is
obviously clearer. Often teachers get so caught up in "teaching jargon" that the meaning of
a lesson is lost on its students. We've all experienced teachers that are so jargon laden that
understanding them is very difficult. We as teachers, need to truly focus more of our energy
on making sure that our students are able to understand us in the classroom. In this
section, we will explore what teacher clarity actually is and some ways that we as teachers
can be more aware of clarity problems.
So, what is teacher clarity?! While most of us immediately conjure images in our
heads of what a clear teacher actually is, the literature on the subject isn't quite as crystal
clear. First, a clear conceptualization of what the term "clarity" means is important.
Eisenberg (1984) discussed the term clarity in terms of organizational communication when
he wrote:
Chapter Thirteen - 174
Clarity ... is a relational variable which arises through a combination of
source, message and receiver factors.... In trying to be clear, individuals take
into account the possible interpretive contexts which may be brought to bear
on the message by the receiver and attempt to narrow the possible
interpretations. Clarity, then, is a continuum which reflects the degree to
which a source has narrowed the possible interpretations of a message and
succeeded in achieving a correspondence between his or her intentions and
the interpretation of the receiver, (pp. 29-30)
In essence, a person who has achieved clarity has limited the possible number of
interpretations that could be made for what he or she communicated. We've all experienced
periods in our life when we have been misunderstood or have misunderstood someone
because of a lack of clarity in the communicated message. Civikly (1992) identified five
behaviors that students saw as separating the most clear teachers from the least clear
teachers: (a) Gives the student individual help; (b) Explains something and then stops so
students can think about it; (c) Explains the work to be done and how to do it; (d) Repeats
questions and explanations if students don't understand them; and (e) Asks students before
they start to work if they know what to do and how to do it. While each of these five
behaviors aid in clarity, each of these concepts are affect related as well. Taking the time to
slow down and be clear is an easy way for a teacher to demonstrate that he or she cares
about her or his students. Lowman (1984) summed up the issue of clarity in the classroom
when he wrote, "Outstanding teaching is characterized by stimulation of emotions
associated with intellectual activity: the excitement of considering ideas, understanding
abstract concepts and seeing their relevance to one's life, and participating in the process of
discovery" (p. 12).
Chesebro (2002) broke communication clarity in the classroom down into two major
categories of clarity: verbal and structural. Verbal clarity is a teacher's ability to lecture in a
fluent manner (few verbal surrogates like "uhs" and "umms"), clearly explain course
content, and use appropriate and meaningful illustrations to help students further
understand the content. One of the authors of this text had a professor in college who
actually said the verbal surrogates "uhh" and "umm" 167 times in a 30 minute period (as
counted by three students in the class). The students in the professor's class had been
driven crazy the point where they started keeping track of her verbal surrogates in a game
like fashion. One day they took bets.
Chapter Thirteen - 175
Structural clarity relates to the teacher's ability to maintain and inform her or his
students about the structure of lesson before, during, and after the lesson. In reality,
structural clarity is closely related to the simple speech structure you probably learned in
your first writing or public speaking class. A good lecture has all of the components of a
good speech or paper. Teachers need to preview what will be learned during that class
period. Teachers need to organize the material in a manner that makes sense and does not
seem to jump around a lot. When switching topics during a lecture, a teacher needs to
make sure that he or she clearly transitions from one topic to the next to avoid leaving any
students behind. When the lecture is over, the teacher needs to go back over the lecture
and hit the highlights again to reiterate what has happened during the lecture. One idea to
help with overall structural clarity is to provide students with skeletal outlines of a lecture.
This allows students to stay on top of where the teacher is located in the lecture notes and
know where the lecture is going. And trust us, if a teacher by chance skips a section on your
outline, students will be right there to point it out. Preiss and Gayle (2006) found that
structural clarity increased learning across all instructional contexts.
The last part of structural clarity involves the use of visual aids. Students will take
more away from a lecture when they are able to both see and hear content. This does not
mean that teachers should go overboard and turn every lecture into a computer slide
presentation, but if you are talking about the various sections of the human brain, students
will remember more of your presentation if they can see either a model of a brain or a real
one.
Teacher Immediacy
Mehrabian's (1971) original concept of immediacy examined the perceived
psychological or physical closeness between two people. Though immediacy is strictly a
perception concept, it has been shown to be very important in the learning environment.
Numerous research studies have shown that a student's perception of her or his teacher's
immediacy in the classroom has an impact on all three of Bloom's knowledge levels:
cognitive, affective, and psychomotor (Comstock, Rowell, & Bowers, 1995). In a study
conducted by Richmond, Gorham, and McCroskey (1987), it was found that "moderate
immediacy is necessary for cognitive learning and low immediacy may suppress such
learning. However, high immediacy may not increase cognitive learning over that generated
by moderate immediacy" (p. 587). Overall, a teacher's ability to be immediate with her or
his students has been shown to greatly impact the learning environment.
Chapter Thirteen - 176
We have all had teachers that were lively and we just felt connected with while in
their classrooms. Maybe it was their animated style or the way that they knew everyone's
name in the classroom. Somehow we just felt psychologically and/or physically closer to
these teachers than to our other teachers. These amazing teachers had developed a form of
immediacy that our other teachers were unable to produce.
Immediacy can come in one of two basic forms: verbal and nonverbal. While a lot of
research has shown the benefits of both verbal and nonverbal immediacy, Richmond and
McCroskey (2000) believe that nonverbal immediacy is by far more important in a learning
situation. Verbal immediacy behaviors, in part, include behaviors like using a student's
name in class; using inclusive language like "we" and "us", instead of exclusive language
like "you" and "them", and clarity. Nonverbal immediacy behaviors, like Comstock, Rowell,
Bowers (1995) suggested, can be seen in all aspects of nonverbal communication.
Proxemics (physical distance). Immediate teachers have been shown to decrease
the physical distance between themselves and their students. Immediate teachers will avoid
having barriers between themselves and their students such as desks and podiums.
Immediate teachers will also move in and around their students while teaching.
Haptics (piiysical toucii). Immediate teachers have been shown to use appropriate
touch around their students. A slight pat on the shoulder or upper back can be a sign of
immediacy for most students. Teachers must be careful when they are touching students for
fear of sexual harassment allegations. Before touching any student, think of the benefits
and possible costs, and then touch with common sense.
Vocalics (vocal variation and vocal expressiveness). Immediate teachers are
teachers who use a variety of vocal ranges. The opposite of vocal variety is the infamous
monotone teacher whose very voice can put anyone to sleep. This rather unpopular teacher
persona has been perfected by Ben Stein the law professor turned actor (Ferris Buller's Day
off Si The Wonder Years) and game show host {Win Ben Stein's Money). To be immediate,
teachers should use a range of vocal behaviors that make the lecture varied and more
pleasant to listen to during class. At the same time, being overly or constantly vocally
animated is also non-immediate. Teachers should attempt to find a verbal style that is
pleasant and effective.
Kinesics (facial animation, open postures, gestural activity, and body relaxation).
Immediate teachers have been consistently found to have very specific kinesic patterns.
Immediate teachers have faces that are animated and fun to watch while speaking - think
of Robin Williams. They also do not cross their arms in front of them or place barriers
between themselves and their students. This open body orientation allows the students to
Chapter Thirteen - 177
connect with them on a deeper level. Immediate teachers also use more gestures than non-
immediate teachers. Non-immediate teachers tend to stand very stiff and do not move very
much. Immediate teachers use appropriate gestures as a way to emphasize points and
demonstrate what they are saying during class. Lastly, immediate teachers are more
relaxed and in control of a teaching situation. One of the greatest and most immediate
teachers/speakers is Tony Robbins. When people watch Tony Robbins speak they are drawn
to him because of his larger than life size (He is 6'6"), facial animation, open posture,
gestural activity, and relaxed body orientation. The opposite of Tony Robbins is former Vice
President Al Gore. One of Al Gore's biggest problems when running for vice president and
then for president was his lack of the attributes that makes teachers and speakers like Tony
Robbins so popular. Al Gore does not have facial animation. He always had a closed posture,
rarely gestured (and when he did it looked scripted), and, as the jokes said, looked very
stiff and not relaxed. Who would you be more interested in listening to during class, an
animated lively teacher or a teacher that has about as much personality and kinesic
immediacy as a tree?
Eye Contact (getting and maintaining eye contact). Immediate teachers are
teachers who look their students in the eyes. Students want to know that their teachers
know that they are sitting there in the classroom. The easiest way to communicate that you
know a student is there is to look at her or him.
Chronemics (time orientation). Immediate teachers are teachers who are seen
spending more time with students, arriving early, staying late, and just making themselves
more accessible to their students. Maybe consider getting yourself an e-mail address so
your students can e-mail you. If you decide to make yourself this available and immediate,
make sure you place limits on your availability for your own sanity. Tell your students that if
they have a last minute question you will check your e-mail at a specific time, but you won't
look before or after that time. This will place parameters on this tool for your benefit, but
will also make your students feel that you are more accessible.
Physical Appearance (ptiysical qualities). Physical appearance is the most
important aspect of initial attraction. Teachers that are attractive are perceived as more
immediate. This does not mean that you have to be a super model to be an immediate and
affective teacher, but it is important that a number of characteristics are adhered to when
concerned with dress. First, informal but socially appropriate attire which is not conservative
is important to be seen as immediate. You do not need to look like you just stepped off the
cover of Vogue magazine or out of the pages of Abercrombie and Fitcli Quarterly, but
appropriate attire, as described above, is important. One of the authors remembers being in
Chapter Thirteen - 178
high school during the 1990s and having a teacher who only wore polyester, and had a bad
toupee. He was not the poster child for immediacy behaviors. Also, a clean-cut appearance
is helpful in creating immediacy in the classroom. In addition, teachers should be careful not
to wear clothing or accessories that are distracting. If your clothing or accessories clings or
clangs while you walk, this is highly distracting and non-immediate.
Teacher Humor Assessment
Researchers have been examining humor from a variety of different vantage points,
attempting to see how individuals differ in production of and response to humorous
messages. When students are asked to generate a list of characteristics that are seen as
positive teacher attributes, a strong sense of humor has consistently been one of the
primary responses. In fact, a number of studies have shown humor to be very positive in
the learning environment. Humor has been correlated with student affect, learning,
perceived teacher credibility (Wrench & Richmond, 2000); classroom compliance and level
of behavioral problems (Punyanunt, 2000); immediacy (Wanzer & Frymier, 1999); and
reducing test and classroom anxiety (Tamborini and Zillmann, 1981). Humor has been
shown to be a very positive benefit to the classroom environment, but it is definitely a
double-edged sword.
Too often when teachers hear that humor is beneficial they try to inappropriately
integrate humor into their classroom. At the same time, some teachers actually try to stifle
humor because they see it as frivolous and not a part of the educational environment.
Humor is actually a VERY beneficial and naturally occurring part of the learning
environment, but this is not to say that humor cannot be improved and made better. While
humor studies may sound like a lot of fun, to those of us who do research in this area, it's
anything but a laughing matter. Humor is serious business, and when used appropriately,
can have amazing results in the classroom. Avner Ziv (1988) is one of the foremost
researchers on humor in the classroom, a professor at the University of Jerusalem in Israel,
and is former president of the International Society of Humor Studies. Dr. Ziv has found
that teachers can actually be taught to integrated humor into their classrooms with positive
results. He also found that when teachers integrate humor into one section of a class and
kept their other section to a traditional style, the students in the humor section scored
significantly higher on a standardized test at the end of the semester. Figure 13.1 is a copy
of the Humor Assessment Instrument (HA). This short measure is a personal report of the
use and perception of humor in one's daily life.
Chapter Thirteen - 179
Humor Assessment
Directions: Tine following statements apply to how people communicate humor when
relating to others. I ndicate the degree to which each of these statements applies to you
by filling in the number of the your response in the blank before each item:
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
1
2
3
4
5
1. I regularly communicate with others by joking with them.
2. People usually laugh when I makes a humorous remark.
3. I am not funny or humorous.
4. I can be amusing or humorous without having to tell a joke.
5. Being humorous is a natural communication orientation for me.
6. I cannot relate an amusing idea well.
7. My friends would say that I am a humorous or funny person.
8. People don't seem to pay close attention when I am being funny.
9. Even funny ideas and stories seem dull when I tell them.
10. I can easily relate funny or humorous ideas to the class.
11. I would say that I am not a humorous person.
12. I cannot be funny, even when asked to do so.
13. I relate amusing stories, jokes, and funny things very well to others.
14. Of all the people I know, I am one of the "least" amusing or funny persons.
15. I use humor to communicate in a variety of situations.
16. On a regular basis, I do not communicate with others by being humorous or
entertaining.
SCORING: To compute your scores follow the instructions below:
1. How to Score:
Step One: Add scores for items 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 13, & 15.
Step Two: Add scores for items 3, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14 & 16.
Step Three: Add 48 to Step 1.
Step Four: Subtract the score for Step two from the score for Step Three.
Source:
Wrench, J. S., & Richmond, V. P. (2004). Understanding the psychometric properties of
the Humor Assessment instrument through an analysis of the relationships between
teacher humor assessment and instructional communication variables in the college
classroom. Communication Researcii Reports, 21, 92-103.
Figure 13.1 Humor Assessment (HA)
So, by this point you're hopefully wondering how humor can be beneficial in the
learning environment. While studies are not completely clear on what is actually happening
when students are exposed to humor in a classroom, the following biological basis probably
has something to do with this phenomenon. When students are exposed to something they
Chapter Thirteen - 180
find humorous, endorphin levels rise creating a natural rush. When students are later
required to recall information associated with the humor that created the natural rush, they
have higher recall rates than students who are not exposed to humor. In essence, the
addition of humor to a teaching situation allows for better storage in long-term memory and
faster recall and retrieval from long-term memory because of the increased endorphin levels
at the time of the storage.
As teachers there are a number of simple things that can be done to add humor to
the learning environment. First, a simple warning - don't let humor that you use in class be
unnatural for you. We all have different styles for delivering humor. Just like Jerry Sienfeld,
Ellen Degeneres, Jeff Foxworthy, Chris Rock, Dennis Miller, and Whoopi Goldberg have
different standup shticks, each of us as teachers needs to find humor that naturally works
for us. Second, another warning - make sure that humor that is used in class is applicable
to the content that you are teaching. Often people who are not familiar with using humor in
a classroom will try to randomly tell stories or jokes that have no apparent point. While
students may remember the jokes at a later point, they may not know why the humorous
story was told. One of the authors remembers a professor that told a humorous story about
being at a drive-through restaurant. Not knowing how much something cost, he asked the
person on the other side of the intercom who responded "can't you read?" At this point the
professor, in a rather funny fashion, talked about how offended he was that this minimum
wage worker would question his ability to read. Most of the students laughed at the story,
but none of the students or the professor's teaching assistants knew the point of the story.
One way to include humor into your lesson plans is to tell funny stories and jokes or
show cartoons that apply to the content. Maybe you're teaching United States history. Find
a copy of "American History According to High School Students" and read it to your
classroom. If you haven't seen this infamous little revisionist history lesson, it is a rather
funny depiction of American History that starts with Washington Discovering America and
ends with the Japanese bombing the Pearly Gates. Another way to include humor in your
class is to include humorous test items on your tests. The inclusion of humorous test items
has actually been shown to decrease student test anxiety and raise students' test scores.
Also, look for humorous examples in the news and on television that exemplify concepts
that you are going to be teaching. A number of magazines such as Reader's Digest and The
Saturday Evening Post are known for their humorous anecdote and joke sections. The more
you use humor in the classroom, the more natural it will become.
Chapter Thirteen - 181
References and Recommended Readings
Chesebro, J. L. (2002). Teaching clearly. In J. Chesebro and J. C. McCroskey (Eds.),
Communication for Teaciiers (pp. 93-103). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Chesbro, J . L., & McCroskey, J . C. (2001). The relationship of teacher clarity and immediacy
with student state receiver apprehension, affect, and cognitive learning.
Communication Education, 50, 59-68.
Chesebro, J. L., & Wanzer, M. B. (2006). Instructional message variables. In, T. P. Mottet,
V. P. Richmond, &]. C. McCroskey (Eds.), Handboola of instructional communication:
Rlietorical and relational perspectives (pp. 89-116). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Civikly, J. M. (1992). Clarity: Teachers and Students Making Sense of Instruction.
Communication Education, 41, 138-152.
Comstock, J., Rowell, E., & Bowers, J. W. (1995). Food For Thought: Teacher Nonverbal
Immediacy, Student Learning and Curvilinearity. Communication Education, 44, 251-
266.
Mehrabian, A. (1971). Silent messages. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Eisenberg, E. M. (1984). Ambiguity as strategy in organizational communication.
Communication Monographs, 51, 227-242.
Martin, D. M., Preiss, R. W., Gayle, B. M., & Allen, M. (2006). A meta-analytic assessment of
the effect of humorous lectures on learning. In B. M. Gayle, R. W. Preiss, N. Burrel, &
M. Allen (Eds.), Classroom communication and instructional processes: Advances
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Chapter Thirteen - 183
TEACHER TEMPERAMENT I N THE CLASSROOM
Chapter Fourteen Objectives
1. Define and explain winat temperament is and \r\ov\i it differs from learning theory.
2. Be able to explain and differentiate among the four personality types.
3. Understand the strengths and weaknesses associated with the four personality types.
4. Understand the basic blends that can happen among the four personality types.
5. Explain how the four personality types can influence both teacher behavior and
student behavior in the classroom.
Have you ever noticed that there are people who are not like you in the world?
Maybe you work with one of these "strange" people? Maybe you live with one of these
"strange" people? And quite possibly, you may even teach one of these "strange" people.
You know for a fact that if these people would just do what you say and become more like
you, they would live better and happier lives. We all have a tendency of looking at those
around us and finding the faults. It's hard to realize that maybe, just maybe, it's us and not
them that needs to change. We spend so much time focusing on what we consider to be
faults in other people, and very little time trying to understand ourselves. One way to
become an affective teacher in the classroom is to learn to understand yourself and those
around you.
One way to start understanding other people is to understand ourselves and where
our attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs actually come from. With increasing evidence, scientists
are learning that a great portion of the way we behave is biologically driven. Though some
people believe that this is a new or futuristic concept, this idea dates back to a philosopher
and physician that most of us are familiar with. Hypocrites. Hypocrites is primarily
remembered today for the Hippocratic Oath that all medical doctors take to become
physicians, "First do no harm." But Hypocrites did a lot more than just write this one
famous oath.
Hypocrites noted that there were a number of different types of patients that came
into his office. He originally thought that it was an amount of bile that ran through a
person's body that caused them to act the way they did. Some were loud, always wanted to
talk, and used lots of gestures. He called these people Sanguines and thought that they
Chapter Thirteen - 184
were full of red-bile. He saw that other people were more low key, and quiet, and very
perfectionistic. He called these people Melancholies and thought that they were full of black-
bile. Other people were very matter of fact and control oriented, always in a rush to do
something, and rather abrupt leaders. He called these people Cholerics and thought that
they were full of yellow- bile. Lastly, he saw a group of people who were very peaceful, laid
back, and lazy. He called these people Phlegmatics and thought that they were full of
phlegm. For many years. Hypocrites' conceptualization of human temperament reigned as
the predominant thought on how humans behaved. In fact, the primary cure for most
illnesses was to let out some of the bile as a means to fix the problem. I nstead of going to a
doctor, you went to your local barber who could give you a quick haircut, a shave, and a
little bloodletting.
As medical technology and understanding grew, this practice was discarded as out of
date and not really an accurate way for dealing with human ailments. Along with the
practice of bloodletting. Hypocrites' temperament conceptualization was also seen as out of
date and a new theory (learning theory) started to dominate most academic thought.
During this time period, people started to believe that we were born as blank slates and our
environment shaped us into the people we eventually became. The formation of modern
genetic research, as we know it today, started in 1865 with the groundbreaking treatise on
heredity by an Austrian monk named Gregor Mendel. Mendel was the first scientist to
propose that humans were actually similar to their biological parents through a process he
called heredity. Everything from a person's IQ (Begley, 1998; Lemonick, 1999); to
impulsiveness, openness, conservatism, and hostility; (Nash, 1998); to communication
apprehension (Beatty, McCroskey, & Heisel); and verbal aggression (Beatty, Valencic, Rudd,
& Dobos, 1999) can be linked to biology. With the completion of the Human Genome
Project, the understanding of human behavior as an innate part of our being is becoming
more understood (Begley, 2000; Golden & Lemonick, 2000).
While recent genetics research has been proving that Hypocrites was on the right
track, a number of researchers have revitalized his old concepts of the Sanguine,
Melancholy, Choleric, and Phlegmatic as a way to understand human behavior. Florence
Littauer originally published her version of Hypocrites' four-quadrant personality
conceptualization in her world-renown book Personality Plus in 1983. From 1983 to 1992,
her book had been through twenty-six printings, and had become one of the most widely
published texts in other languages (besides English) around the world. In fact. Personality
Plus has been a national best seller in many nations around the world. The following test
(figure 14.1) will indicate where you score on the Temperament Testing Scale (TTS).
Chapter Thirteen - 185
Temperamental Testing Scale
I nstructions: On the scales below, indicate the degree to which each of the adjective pairs
represents you. Do not over think these items. Numbers 1 and 7 indicate a very strong
feeling. Numbers 2 and 6 indicate a strong feeling. Numbers 3 and 5 indicate a fairly weak
feeling. Number 4 indicates you are undecided.
1.
Animated
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Withdrawn
2.
Daring
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Hesitant
3.
Sociable
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Alienated
4.
Confident
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Worrier
5.
Extrovert
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1 ntrovert
6.
Bold
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Timid
7.
Funny
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Dull
8.
Productive
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Lazy
9.
Mixes Easily
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Loner
10.
Sure
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Doubtful
11.
Talker
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Listener
12.
Unsatisfied
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Satisfied
13.
Scatterbrained
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Analytic
14.
Domineering
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Diplomatic
15.
Inconsistent
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Consistent
16.
Involved
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Uninvolved
17.
Haphazard
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Systematic
18.
Frank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Mediator
19.
Irrational
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Rational
20.
Short-tempered
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Laidback
Figure 14.1 Temperamental Testing Scale
Chapter Thirteen - 186
SCORING
To compute your scores, add your scores for each item as indicated below:
Sanguine-JVlelancinoly Continuum - Add All Odd Questions -- Get Score
Choleric-Phlegmatic Continuum - Add All Even Questions -- Get Score
Scores for each continuum should be between 10 and 70.
Sanguine-Melancholy Continuum - Scores between 10 & 35 indicate a Sanguine Nature.
Scores above 45 indicate a Melancholy Nature.
Choleric-Phlegmatic Continuum - Scores between 10 & 35 indicate a Choleric Nature.
Scores above 45 indicate a Phlegmatic Nature.
Explanation of Scores
The Further you are away from 40 on both continuums indicates the strength of that
temperamental state.
First example, if you are a solid 10 on the Sanguine-Melancholy Continuum, then you are
VERY
Sanguine in nature, and if you are a solid 70 Choleric-Phlegmatic Continuum, then you are
VERY Phlegmatic, which would give you a temperamental blend of Sanguine-Phlegmatic.
Second Example, if you are a solid 30 on the Sanguine-Melancholy Continuum, then you
are Moderately Strong Sanguine in nature, and if you are a solid 70 Choleric-Phlegmatic
Continuum, then you are VERY Phlegmatic, which would give you a temperamental blend of
Sanguine-Phlegmatic with a primary temperament of Phlegmatic and a Secondary
temperament of Sanguine.
Use this Scale to understand your results:
10-20 VERY STRQNG
20-30 STRQNG
30-35 FAIRLY STRQNG
35-40 AVERAGE
45-50 FAIRLY STRQNG
50-60 STRQNG
60-70 VERY STRQNG
If you find yourself in the weak to average on both scales, you may be phlegmatic in
nature because they have a tendency of blending very well on both scales.
When you examine your scores, do not get the idea that there are specific good
personality or temperament patterns and bad ones. Too often people get the idea that one
specific personality type is better than another personality type. Though specific personality
Chapter Thirteen - 187
types will function better in specific situations, all four types are equally useful and equally
needed in society and in the educational system.
Four Personality Types
Let's examine the four personality types individually, so we can start to see the
positive and negative aspects of all four types. One very important point that needs to be
made is that all four types have specific strengths and weaknesses, and any strength when
carried to an extreme can become a weakness!!!
Popular Sanguine
The Popular Sanguine is always the life of the party. This person generally has a
group of people around them at all times. Sanguines are always looking for their next
audience. One of the first tell-tale signs that you are either a Sanguine yourself or are
interacting with a Sanguine is a loud nature that Sanguines generally have. Sanguines are
not only loud in their voices; they are also loud in life. Sanguines also have a tendency to
seek each other out in social situations. At a departmental party once, I was talking with
two colleagues and the three of us just kept getting louder and louder and laughing harder
and harder. We were having a great time. It wasn't until after we had cleared the entire
house that one of the hosts came inside and pointed out that we had driven everyone else
out onto the porch because of the racket.
Sanguines are also loud in life. Sanguine women, typically speaking, wear very
bright clothing and quite possibly lots of jewelry. One Sanguine woman I used to work with
wore so much dangling jewelry that you could hear her coming down the hall. With each
step she took, a clanging of metallic rhythms was made. While society expects men to dress
more professionally and conservatively in business situations. Sanguine men will still try to
find a way to enjoy themselves and make a statement with their clothing. Sanguine men
will have loud or fun ties that they wear.
Sanguines also tend to be very open in life. Very rarely will you find a Sanguine that
doesn't have her or his mouth open. Sanguines are always talking. And while talking can be
a very important tool in life, when a person does not know how to stop talking, it can
become a very powerful weakness. Sanguines also can be typically noticed by their open
body orientation. Sanguines tend to have very open bodies (no barriers or crossed arms
when they are talking), and tend to use a lot of gestures. In fact, you can typically spot a
Sanguine from across a room simply by the gestures that he or she uses. Because
Sanguines use a lot of gestures when talking to people and have an open body orientation.
Chapter Thirteen - 188
they are also very nonverbally immediate. Sometimes tinougin, Sanguines become too
immediate and become too touciny-feely for tinose people who are around them. Sanguines
also tend to have a very open life. There are very few secrets that a Sanguine has. People
should also be careful when telling Sanguines secrets of their own because often when a
thought has made it through the brain it's already out of their mouths. Figure 14.2, is a list
of the major Sanguine strengths and weaknesses identified in the Temperament Testing
Scale.
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
Animated
Sociable
Extrovert
Funny
Cheerful
Optimistic
Mixes easily
Talker
Popular
Spontaneous
Scatterbrained
Messy
Unpredictable
Permissive
Disorganized
Changeable
I nconsistent
Haphazard
Loud
Irrational
Figure 14.2 Sanguine Strengths and
Wealcnesses
Overall, Sanguines are great to have
around. They definitely are able to spice up any
party and even provide loads of entertainment
in the office. They have magnetic personalities
that just draw people to them. They are
friendly, funny, work quickly, and love to talk.
Sanguines do have a variety of emotional
needs that Littauer and Littauer (1998)
noticed: Attention, Affection, Approval, and
Acceptance. Sanguines have the need to have
attention from all people who are around them.
They also tend to be very affectively oriented.
Sanguines need to be touched and touch other
people. This touch helps them feel connected with those people who are around them.
When a Sanguine is not getting touch, he or she may try to find types of touch that are not
pro-social. Sanguines also have an innate desire to get approval for every deed that they
do. When a Sanguine makes a mistake, and people get irritated and focus on the mistake,
the Sanguine does not feel approved of as a person. Lastly, a Sanguine needs to feel
accepted as is. Too often Sanguines feel like the people around them are trying to quiet
them down, be more respectful, be more efficient with their time, and get things done
perfectly, and all of these things make a Sanguine feel not accepted. A Sanguine's basic
desire in life is to have fun. Any time one of these emotional needs is not being met it
causes life to not be fun any longer, and ultimately can cause a Sanguine to experience
depression. A depressed Sanguine will attempt to relocate those feelings of fun and
happiness through multiple sexual partners, drugs, alcohol, shopping, eating, and any other
activity, pro- or anti-social, that allows them to be around other people. More than anything
Chapter Thirteen - 189
Sanguines fear being unpopular, being ignored, growing older, not being attractive, being
lonely, and not having enough money to live a fun and joy filled life.
Perfect Melancholy
Where the Sanguine is loud, the Melancholy is quiet. These people like to have the
quietness of their surroundings because it helps them to think and contemplate. Sanguines
need people to discuss things with and determine the best course of action when a problem
arises. Melancholies prefer to think about the problem and then determine an appropriate
course of action over time. I n fact, loud and obnoxious Sanguines are one of the ultimate
gripes that Melancholies have with the world. Melancholies often just don't understand why
these "other" people feel the need to talk all the time. Melancholies are also very sensitive
and deep people and need other people to understand their sensitive nature. This sensitive
nature is very hard for Sanguines to understand. Sanguines just don't understand why
Melancholies feel the need to contemplate and analyze when there are plenty of fun and
exciting things to do and talk about in life.
Where the Sanguine's life is loud, the Melancholy's life is quiet. This quietness is not
only good for respective contemplation of the world, but it is also good because it allows a
Melancholy to feel what is going on around them. Melancholies tend to dress in very
traditional fashions. Both men and women will wear minimal jewelry, black, brown, gray,
and navy colors. When a Melancholy person does wear an outfit that has color, it is typically
a primary color. Often, a Sanguine will give a Melancholy a very loud and flashy outfit for a
holiday or birthday. The Melancholy will feel the need to wear this outfit because it was
given to them, but will dislike the outfit because it is out of their nature and too flashy for
their taste.
Where the Sanguine's life is open, the Melancholy's life is closed. Melancholies
operate on a need to know basis only. Where you can learn a Sanguine's whole life story in
about thirty-minutes, it may take an entire lifetime for a Melancholy to open up to a person
about who they really are. When problems arise. Melancholies expect other people to just
know what is wrong, and then take care of the situation. Melancholies expect you to feel
what is going on inside of them. Even their nonverbals are very closed in nature.
Melancholies tend to have small precise gestures that are close to the body. They do not
feel the need to flail their arms like the Sanguines do. Melancholies also like to have very
clean-cut and noticeable symmetry in their physical appearance. If a Melancholy walked into
a room and found out that he or she had a piece of toilet paper attached to her or his shoe,
it would mortify the Melancholy. The Sanguine would laugh at the situation and then keep
Chapter Thirteen - 190
telling the story to anyone who would listen. The Melancholy, on the other hand, would
probably go into a form of depression obsessing on how that made them look to others and
who had seen them like that. Where Sanguines are very touchy-feely. Melancholies are
touch-me-nots. In fact, hugging a Melancholy is a lot like hugging a tree. Political examples
of these two personalities are President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore. Clinton is a
Popular Sanguine who loved to touch and be touched; whereas. Gore was a very
melancholy and stiff person.
Melancholies are very schedule-oriented individuals. This can be great because it
helps organizations to keep striving ahead. At the same time, you can become so overly
scheduled in life that nothing gets accomplished. Once when interviewing an applicant for a
job, we were discussing what hours he thought he would be able to work. He said he
needed to consult his schedule and we said, "go ahead." He then proceeded to pull out a
full size three- ring binder. For each day, he had a full two- page spread that had fifteen-
minute increments outlined on where he was supposed to be. He also had seven different
colors of ink that represented different types of information on his schedule. After consulting
this planner, he then said, "let me check my other one just to make sure." At this point, he
pulled out a palm-pilot and gave us exact times he would be able to work. While all of us sat
in absolute shock (what happens when you have a group of Sanguines interviewing), we
were drawn to this man because of his unique ability to schedule. At the same time, it was
his ability to schedule his life that ended up becoming a problem later. When a project
needed to get done, he didn't have the ability to stay later than his specific office hours
because he had already scheduled in other commitments. Once out of curiosity, I looked at
his schedule and saw that he had even penciled in time to eat, sleep, and shower. He even
had a thirty-minute relaxation period on Wednesday nights from 8:00-8:30. While being
scheduled is definitely a strength for a melancholies, if a schedule becomes more important
than living it can be a weakness.
Melancholies also have a hard time finding and keeping personal relationships. What
relationships they do develop tend to be very strong and deep relationships. Where the
Sanguine will have hundreds of friends and constant activity, the Melancholy will develop a
small inner-circle of people they truly care about through their life. When I was in college
living in the dorm there was a guy on my floor named Caleb. Caleb was an obvious perfect
melancholy. His goal in life was to complete his genealogy from his family all the way back
to Adam and Eve. He had books upon books about his family history both in the United
States and in Europe. Well, I decided that this guy needed a new friend that would help to
get him out of his dorm room occasionally. He didn't go out to parties or do anything that /
Chapter Thirteen - 191
saw as fun, so I took it upon myself to become his new best friend. I would drag him places
and make him do things with me and all of my friends. Because of me, people on our floor
who didn't even know Caleb existed knew who he was; people had assumed that his
roommate lived alone because they had never seen Caleb leave his room. Amazingly, after
that year I saw him only once. I the high energy Sanguine, had simply been too
overbearing for him and when the year was over, he found his escape. Figure 14.3 has a list
of the strengths and weaknesses of a Melancholy.
STRENGTHS
Listener
Analytic
Orderly
Planner
Organized
Persistent
Consistent
Systematic
Rational
Ouiet
WEAKNESSES
Withdrawn
Alienated
Too I ntroverted
Over planning
Dull
Depressed
Pessimistic
Loner
Unpopular
Strict
Figure 14.3 Melancholy Strengths
and Weaknesses
J ust like the Sanguine has specific
emotional needs, Littauer and Littauer (1998)
propose that Melancholies also have four basic
emotional needs: Sensitivity, Support, Space,
and Silence. Melancholies need to have others
be sensitive to their feelings. Melancholies need
to know that you understand what they are
feeling. Often when a Melancholy gets
depressed they will stay depressed for a period
of time and need you to come where they are
and demonstrate empathy. Sanguines can have
fifteen manic-depressive states in the hour they
get up in the morning (I woke up - depressive
- I took a shower - manic - I stubbed my toe - depressive - I get to eat Poptarts - Manic).
A second emotional need for Melancholies is support. My friend, Kris, was going through a
stage of chronic depression and needed me to come and be with him and support him in the
pit of depression. Sadly, I was not able to be with him in that pit 100% of the time, but I
was able to support him when he was down. Where I tried my best to demonstrate
empathy, my happy, bubbly nature sooner or later would surface and drive him crazy.
Thankfully, he understood that I am just a naturally Sanguine person, and that even when I
am depressed I function through depression in a different way because of my personality. A
third emotional need for Melancholies is the need to be alone. Melancholies just need down
time some times. Unlike the Sanguines who thrive on people and get depressed when they
don't have an audience. Melancholies feel claustrophobic when they are around too many
people and some times just need to have some downtime. This downtime can be very
unhealthy for a Melancholy who is depressed because he or she will sit and have compulsive
negative thoughts, and these thoughts could lead to the Melancholy doing harmful things to
Chapter Thirteen - 192
her or himself. The last emotional need that Melancholies have is a need for silence. This
goes along with the previous need of being alone, without people. Silence is golden in the
eyes of the Melancholy. Melancholies truly believe in the ancient Turkish riddle that says,
"Perfect is the thing that if you say its name, you destroy its meaning."
In life. Melancholies have a basic desire to have perfection. Melancholies will get
depressed when life isn't perfect. While we all cognitively understand that perfection is
impossible. Melancholies have an internal drive that makes them strive towards perfection.
This innate strength has allowed Melancholies to do many great things in history. Let's face
it, if Michelangelo had been a Sanguine, the Sistine Chapel would still have a tarp thrown
over the pews and paint by number grid on the ceiling. However, when one strives towards
a goal that is humanly unrealistic, it can cause a Melancholy to be in a state of constant
depression. Melancholies also become depressed when they believe that the emotional pain
they are going through is unbearable. Since Melancholies are deep and introspective people,
they often feel the weight of emotional pain in a different way than the other three
personalities. They let it drag them to deeper levels of pain than the other personalities.
When a Melancholy sees no way out from under this pain, they become depressed. Lastly,
Melancholies get depressed because people do not understand what they are feeling and
going through. Melancholies so desperately want to be understood and loved through the
silent pain they are experiencing. When a Melancholy gets depressed he or she may
withdraw from people in an unhealthy manner. They may take to bed or become
agoraphobic refusing to leave their house, and quite possibly use drugs or alcohol as a way
to blot out imperfections and failures. A Melancholy's basic desire is to have perfection.
They are so afraid of making a mistake and being a failure, having to compromise or lower
their standards, or that no one will ever be able to understand them.
Powerful Choleric
Cholerics are easy to find. J ust look for the person who seems to be leading a group,
and you've probably got yourself a Choleric. Cholerics are the kind of people who will join
organizations if they think there's the possibility of getting a leadership position in the
group. Once, I actually joined an organization for the pure purpose of leading it. I didn't
know what the organization truly did, their goals, or its purpose, but I sure knew that I
could lead the organization - and I did. Cholerics are also noticeable because of their
intensity, their "always on the go" attitude, and their quick pace. Cholerics always have
things to do, people to see, and projects to complete, so don't even dare to stand in their
way unless you want to see the wrath of a Choleric. Cholerics are always doing, never
Chapter Thirteen - 193
being. Cholerics are the people who lead motivational seminars on getting rich and being
more productive. These people are very picky about how things should be done, and
generally are right. Where the Melancholy will diligently think about and then implement a
plan of strategy when a problem arises, a Choleric will make a split-second decision on how
to handle the problem and then proceed with all her or his might. And, generally speaking,
Cholerics make good decisions. This often infuriates the Melancholy who will spend a lot of
time trying to come up with an appropriate solution only to find out the Choleric came up
with the same idea and implemented it already. At the same time, this brashness and split-
second decision-making can get a Choleric into trouble.
At one job I had, I was overseeing a good number of people who were implementing
a number of projects conceptualized by myself and a small inner group of leaders in the
organization. One of my subordinates came to me with an idea that he thought was new. I
quickly told him that we had already discussed that idea before he was hired and had
decided not to do it. I told him not to waste his time trying to do it because I would just be
forced to veto it if it came across my desk again. I thought I was being very judicious in the
way that I handled my subordinate, but he (who happened to be a Melancholy) felt that I
had been rude and insensitive to his feelings. We eventually became friends, but it took a
long time before he was able to trust me with his ideas. Cholerics are going so fast, that
they often forget that they might be stepping on the "little- people" in the way of their goals.
You can tell a Choleric by their nonverbals from across the room. A Choleric wears
clothing that looks sharp, but is functional. There area a number of very specific gestures
that are totally Choleric oriented: pointing or shaking their fingers at people; pounding their
fist on objects or in their hands to add emphasis to what they are saying; hand on hip along
with the "I can't believe you just did that look." Cell phones were designed for Cholerics on
the go. What better invention of the 20**^ Century than a tool that allows you to complete
work during that useless driving and walking time!?
Cholerics are goal oriented and production oriented. They always have some
direction they are headed in, and do whatever it takes to make sure the task gets
accomplished. Figure 14.4 has a list of the strengths and weaknesses of a Choleric.
The decisions that a Choleric makes are often dead on target, but sometimes a
Choleric may make bad decisions because he or she does not think the decisions out. A
great example of Cholerics making bad decisions in American History can be seen in the Bay
of Pigs mistake. Too many aggressive Cholerics got together and did not completely analyze
the situation, but went headstrong into the worst military defeat in the US Military's history.
Cholerics need to be careful to get all necessary information before making a hasty decision.
Chapter Thirteen - 194
STRENGTHS
Powerful
Strong-willed
Daring
Confident
Leader
Bold
Decisive
Productive
Sure
Doer
WEAKNESSES
Headstrong
Impatient
Unsatisfied
Domineering
Overly I nvolved
Aggressive
Frank
Short-tempered
Stubborn
Fast
Figure 14.4 Choleric Strengths and
Wealcnesses
Littauer and Littauer (1998) proposed
that Cholerics have four basic emotional needs:
Loyalty, Control, Appreciation, and Credit.
Cholerics have an emotional need to have
loyalty from those around them. Since
Cholerics are constantly leading people, having
loyalty from those they are leading becomes
very important. If an individual is not loyal, it
makes a Choleric feel as though he or she has
not been an effective leader. Cholerics also
need to have a sense of control. Cholerics like
to know that they have control over their lives
at all stages of life. If you are dealing with a
Choleric child, giving her or him some responsibility is a simple way to increase her or his
self-esteem and feelings of worth. Cholerics also like to be appreciated for their dedicated
service. Cholerics are hard workers, and they want to be appreciated for their loyalty to
others or organizations that they work for, both paid and voluntary work. Lastly, Cholerics
want to get credit for the work that they do. Cholerics do a lot of work and want to know
that other people notice the work that they are doing.
When I was in high school, I belonged to the youth group at my church. I ran almost
everything possible. I spent more time at the church working on projects than the minister
did (OK slight exaggeration). At first, I was constantly complimented for the work that I was
doing, but after time I became a wall hanging and I stopped getting the compliments. As
soon as I stopped being recognized for the work that I was doing, I stopped doing the work.
At that point, people thought I was mad or angry because I wasn't doing the behavior that I
had done for a long time. Cholerics thrive on getting credit for their good works.
Cholerics have a basic desire to have control in their lives. Cholerics become
depressed when they feel that they are not in control. When a Choleric wakes up and feels
that he or she is no longer in control, depression is going to hit them until they are able to
regain control in their lives. Also, any life problems that cause an unbalance in a Choleric's
life can cause depression. Problems with finances, job, spouse, children, or health can all be
problems that cause a Choleric's life to spiral into a depressive state. Lastly, a Choleric will
become depressed when he or she feels totally unappreciated. As a way to deal with stress
and depression, Cholerics may work harder, exercise more, or avoid unyielding situations.
While some people will see the working harder and increased levels of exercise as beneficial.
Chapter Thirteen - 195
these can become obsessions that lead to an individual becoming a work-a-holic or possibly
developing a body obsession disorder. Cholerics, as a whole, are very prone to social-
anxiety disorders. When they believe that they will do, or have done, something wrong or
even perceptually wrong they will obsess on this mistake and fear that it will make them
look dumb, inferior, not capable, or irresponsible. Ultimately, Cholerics fear losing control of
their lives, financial disasters, and/or becoming weak and incapacitated.
Peaceful Phlegmatic
If a Choleric, Sanguine, Melancholy, and Phlegmatic were trying to get from point A
to point B, very different methods would be used. A Choleric would just quickly, in a frantic
pace, with arms flailing go from point A to point B. A Sanguine would start on their way, see
an old acquaintance along the way get into a great conversation about old times. They
would tell stories, and if the Sanguine ever made it to point B, they probably wouldn't even
know why they were there in the first place. A Melancholy would sit down and map out the
most effective way to get from point A to point B. In today's world, the Melancholy would
probably go on the Internet and have a mapping program develop a number of possible
paths that they could take from point A to point B. Then the Melancholy would cross-
reference these computer-generated maps with the most recent Atlas they can find. While
the other three are moving (in different fashions) from point A to point B, the Phlegmatic
person just thinks that there's no reason to travel from point A to point B in the first place,
so why not just stay where they are and take a nap. The primary statement that a
Phlegmatic makes is, "Why stand when I can sit, and why sit when I can lay down."
Where the Cholerics are filled with constant energy and an innate desire to move and
get things accomplished, the Phlegmatic is steady, consistent, and evenly balanced. When
they walk across the room they can be noticed because they generally just seem to flow -
as if walking on clouds. They tend to wear the most casual clothing. If they can spend their
entire lives without putting on a dress or tie, their lives could be perfect. Phlegmatics use
minimal gestures, because moving takes energy and why do something that is just not
necessary. Figure 14.5 provides a list of the basic strengths and weaknesses that a
Phlegmatic has.
Chapter Thirteen - 196
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
Peaceful
Follower
Slow
Adaptable
Patient
Satisfied
Diplomatic
Mediator
Laid-back
Obliging
Hesitant
Compromising
Worrier
Timid
Indecisive
Lazy
Doubtful
Uninvolved
Nonchalant
Watcher
Figure 14.5 Phlegmatic Strengths
and Weal<nesses
As a whole, Phlegmatics are easygoing and
adaptable. In fact, Phlegmatics are sometimes
referred to as the chameleon personality
because they are so easily adaptable. When
they test on the Temperament Testing Scale
they can seem fairly balanced because they
have learned how to take on attributes of all
four of the personality types. Phlegmatics have
a tendency for being low key and their laid-
back quality may allow them to become lazy.
Phlegmatics also have no conceptualization of
time. I have a number of phlegmatic friends
who do not know the meaning of the phrase
"on time." One time when I had reservations for a birthday dinner, I had to tell my friend
Jennifer to be there an hour early just to make sure she would be on time. To all of our
surprise, she showed up on time and I hadn't even started to get ready. Once, when my
best friend Constinia and I had a dinner date, she got wrapped up in a television show and
was nearly two hours late.
The basic desire that Phlegmatics have is to have peace. When a Phlegmatic's life is
in chaos, needs to confront something, or has pressure to produce, it may cause a
Phlegmatic to become depressed. My friend Janet was asked to fire one of her employees.
She became seriously depressed because she knew that she was going to have to confront
one her employees and let him go. For days, she made herself sick worrying about the
confrontation that she knew was coming. After two days off because she had made herself
physically ill, she went into her office only to find out that the employee had already put in
his two-week notice. Also, Phlegmatics are not production-oriented people. My best friend
Constinia and myself were writing an article together. I kept getting irate because I didn't
think she was writing her portion fast enough. My constant nudging of her to get her portion
done, only made it harder for her to get it done. The more I pressured her, the more
helpless she felt, and the harder it was for her to get the article written.
When confronted with stress and depression, Phlegmatics have a tendency to find
escape in books or television. To a Phlegmatic, finding escapes in books and television
shows allows them to disassociate themselves with the problem that is plaguing them, and
allows them to find momentary peace and relaxation. Phlegmatics will also eat and sleep as
a way to be merry and happy. Phlegmatics eat to get to a relaxed state. Phlegmatics will
Chapter Thirteen - 197
also withdraw from people and just kind of tune out life. Phlegmatics do not want to be in a
chaotic state. Some Phlegmatics will turn to drugs and alcohol as a way to blot out reality of
a problem or to get power to overcome a fear. The basic fears that Phlegmatics have an
that they will be pressured to work all the time, get left holding the bag on a project, or face
a conflict that appears overwhelming.
Personality Blends
Most people are not just one strong personality type. While there are some that truly
are just one type, most of us have a clear primary personality and a clear secondary
personality that drives our behavior. Still others have two strong primary personality types.
The basic combinations are Sanguine-Choleric, Choleric-Melancholy, Melancholy-Phlegmatic,
and Phlegmatic-Sanguine. Each of these pairs can occur with either personality type as the
primary and either as the secondary. For information about the natural blends of the
personalities, see Table 14.6.
Conclusion
When people decide to teach, their temperamental and personality patterns are not
separated from their classroom. Your biological temperament does impact your classroom.
Often teachers teach out of their own temperamental patterns. Even the way that we
control our students is done through our temperaments. Sanguines control by charm and
wit - "You'll just love this new idea that I've had." Melancholies control through a threat of
moods - "If you do that I'm probably going to get depressed." Cholerics control others
through a threat of anger - "You know what happened last time you did that!" And
Phlegmatics control through procrastination. "If I wait long enough, someone else will do it
and get it done." Our temperaments are such an important part of who we are and how we
behave.
Chapter Thirteen - 198
Sang
uine
P ayersj
Witty =
: Leaders
- Extroverted
u
Easy Going -
- Optimistic
ru
-
Not Goal Oriented -
- Outspol<en
Ana yzers \
1 ntroverted i
\ Workers
: Decisive
Pessimistic i
: Organized
Soft-Spol<en :
: Goal Oriented
n
O
fD
~\
n
A|OL|Due|aiAl
Figure 14.6 Temperamental Blends
Overall, this information is useful when you allow it to influence the way that you
interact with and understand other people. If you learn everything there is to l<now about
personality, and still treat everyone as if they are identical to you, then the point of this
information has been lost. The first major im plication for this information in the classroom is
how both a teacher's and a student's temperamental patterns affect the educational
environment. When you create a situation where two people will invariably interact,
understanding how those interactions will affect one another is extremely im porta nt. If a
highly neurotic student is having a panic attack on the day of a test, the last thing he or she
needs to hear from her or his teacher is, "Don't worry. It's just a test, not the end of the
world." Teachers need to be trained to interact with their students based on temperament
differences. Eysenck and Eysenck (1995) and Littauer and Littauer (1998) reported that
Chapter Thirteen - 199
when teachers teach to an individual student's temperament that the child performs at a
significantly higher rate than when a teacher uses a general style of teaching. At the same
time, teachers should be aware that preferential treatment appears to be given to
extroverted (Sanguine) children in the elementary and junior high levels; and hence,
extroverted children tend to out perform their more introverted (Melancholy) peers. In later
years however, introverts tend to out perform their extroverted counterparts. Eysenck and
Eysenck (1995) suggest that:
This is due largely to the fact that relatively free and easy methods of
teaching adopted in most primary schools suit extroverted children, who thrive on
informality and like to flit from topic to topic fairly quickly. I ntroverts prefer the
formal teaching atmosphere of the later secondary school. They like to get their
teeth into a topic and persevere with it, and generally do better at secondary and
tertiary levels where emphasis is on specialism, (p. 320)
What we can see from this finding is that teachers across the board are not teaching
to student's temperamental styles and thus impacting the learning that occurs.
If you want to know your students' temperaments, you can use the scale discussed
in this chapter. If you are teaching younger students, ask them to think about a play. Would
they rather be an actor? The person in the spotlight soaking up the applause, having fun?
Would they rather be the writer? Meticulously going over each revision of the script trying to
make it perfect? Would they rather be a director? The person telling everyone where they
need to be and when they need to get there having complete control over the show? Or
would they rather be in the audience? Sitting back and just enjoying the show in a peaceful
atmosphere? This is a good way to get a quick picture of what a person's personality is.
Remember, "So far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men [and women]"
Romans 12: 18. When you enter into your classroom, realize that your temperament and
personality affects the affect in your classroom. If you are dealing with a Sanguine student,
and you're a Melancholy teacher, expecting them to become just like you is unrealistic. Help
each of your students to become fulfilled in your classroom in the way that is best for them.
For a further discussion on teaching with Personality Plus, see Littauer and Littauer's (1998)
book Getting Along with Almost Anybody.
References and Recommended Readings
Beatty, M. J., McCroskey, J. C, & Heisel, A. D. (1998). Communication apprehension as
temperamental expression: A communibiological paradigm. Communication
Monographs, 65, 197-219.
Chapter Thirteen -200
Beatty, M. J., Valencic, K. M., Rudd, J. E., & Dobos, J. A. (1999). A "dark side" of
communication avoidance: Indirect interpersonal aggressiveness. Communication
Research Reports, 16, 103-109.
Beatty, M. J., & McCroskey, J.C. with Valencic, K.M. (2001). Ttie biology of communication:
A communibiological perspective. Cresskill, NJ : Hampton.
Begley, S. (1998, May 5). A gene for genius? Smart DNA could explain how IQ is inherited.
Time, CXXXI (21), 72.
Begley, S. (2000, April 10). Decoding the human body. Newsweel<, CXXXIV (15), 50-57.
Eysenck, H. J. (1998). Dimensions of personality. New Brunswick: Transaction.
Eysenck, H. J., & Eysenck, M. W. (1995). Mind watching: Why we behave the way we do^
London: Prion.
Golden, F., & Lemonick, M. D. (2000) The race is over. Time, 156 (1), 18-23
Lemonick, M. D. (1999, September 13). Smart genes? A new study sheds light on how
memory works and raises questions about whether we should use genetics to make
people brainier. Time, 154 (11), 54-58.
Littauer, F. L. (1983). Personality plus: How to understand others by understanding
yourself Grand Rapids, Ml: Fleming H. Revell.
Littauer, F. L. (1986). Your personality tree. Dallas: Word.
Littauer, F. L. (1995). Put power in your personality! Match your potential with America's
leaders. Grand Rapids, Ml: Fleming H. Revell.
Littauer, F. L., & Littauer, M. (1998). Getting along with almost anybody: The complete
personality book. Grand Rapids, Ml: Fleming H. Revell.
Nash, J . M. (1998 April 27). The personality genes: Does DNA shape behavior? Time, 191
(16), 60-61.
Chapter Thirteen -201
TEACHER COMMUNI CATI ON:
PERFORMANCE AND BURNOUT
Chapter Fifteen Objectives
1. Review some jobs that have likelihood of burnout. Review where you fit into the
various jobs discussed.
2. Discuss which teachers are most likely to suffer burnout. Review why this group is
likely to suffer burnout.
3. Discuss the five major symptoms of teacher burnout. Give an example of each
symptom.
4. Review how people entering the burnout syndrome feel about their students, co-
workers, and others.
5. Review how teacher burnout might impact professional performance in the classroom
and communication with students, co-workers, and supervisors.
6. List the causes of burnout and how to handle it before it happens to you.
7. What are the major types of crises that can lead to burnout? Give an instructional
example from your own school for each type of crisis.
8. List successful and unsuccessful methods for handling/coping with burnout/stress.
Discuss communication strategies for dealing with potential burnout.
A teacher's job is multifaceted. A teacher's job is never done. A teacher's job is
difficult. A teacher's job is rewarding. A teacher's job is grueling. A teacher's job is
demanding. A teacher's job is enjoyable. A teacher's job is arduous. A teacher's job is
playing many roles.
As teachers we have many, many instructional and communication roles which
others in our environment expect us to perform without flaws or problems. As teachers, we
are the single most important entities in some of our students' lives. As a result, we often
have monumental communication demands placed upon us. We have communication
demands placed upon us by the community, parents, supervisors, other teachers, and our
students.
The average teacher spends more time communicating with others in her or his
school system than performing any other task. In fact, most all of a teacher's duties are
linked to some form of communication, either verbal or nonverbal. It is no wonder that one
in three teachers will feel some type of fatigue, exhaustion, weariness, or even burnout by
Chapter Fifteen - 202
the end of a school year. There is nothing more demanding or taxing than communicating
with numerous persons day in and day out. A teacher is constantly adapting, readjusting,
and changing to meet the communication needs of her or his audience. This chapter will
focus on the many roles of the classroom teacher, symptoms of burnout, causes of burnout,
and methods for preventing or reducing teacher burnout.
Teaching: A Multifaceted Job
As stated earlier, a teacher has a multifaceted job. The roles that a teacher performs
are many. Some of the most common roles teachers are expected to perform are:
controller, pedagogical manager, supporter, evaluator, facilitator, disciplinarian, formal and
informal authority, expert, socializing agent, change agent, arbitrator, and primary
communicator. All of these roles are demanding, require communication, and reflect on the
teacher's performance in the eyes of others. Teachers rarely communicate in isolation and
their communication is not a one-way, hypodermic needle type of communication. Teachers'
communication is an interactive process, in which teachers communicate, others react, and
the process continues. Hart (1986) suggests the interactive process of teaching: "Teachers
act. They act on people. And they are acted upon in return. This is the physics of educating"
(p. 5).
Galvin (1990) views the many roles of teachers as interactive. In viewing roles as
interactive, she posits a description of three dimensions of interactive roles. The three
dimensions are: the personality and background of the teacher; the relationships the
teacher is involved in while holding the position of teacher; and the school expectation and
feedback. Each of the dimensions impacts a teacher's life and performance.
Galvin (1990) states "your personal characteristics and previous experience affect
classroom behavior" (p. 196). For example, if you are a very responsive and immediate
instructor, you will expend a lot of time and energy establishing a positive, affective
relationship with your students. If you attended college where there was an emphasis on
the interpersonal, nonverbal, organizational, and intercultural aspects of a classroom
environment, then you would have different expectations about how you should manage,
organize, and teach your classes.
In addition, Galvin suggests that our students' personal characteristics and previous
experiences affect our classroom behavior. For example, if our students are homogeneous
in terms of socioeconomic status, religion, background, language, and so on then these
characteristics impact their expectations of us and how we organize our classroom.
Chapter Fifteen - 203
She states, "your relationships with students, faculty, and administration will also
influence your role" (p. 197). If you seem to have a strong communication rapport with
most of your students, then you will have less difficulty communicating with most of your
students, whereas, if you have a poor communication rapport with most of your students,
then you will have more difficulty communicating with most your students. If you are
homophilous with, and well-liked by, most of your colleagues, you may have a better
communication relationship with them. On the other hand, if you are too dissimilar and not
well-liked by most your colleagues, then you may have a less-than-perfect communication
relationship with them. Lastly, if you understand organizational policy, work within the
system, and are not too aggressive with your supervisor, then you may survive better than
teachers who do not work within the system, do not obey organizational policy, and are
aggressive with their supervisors.
"Institutional expectations directly affect your teaching" (p. 197). All of us are
expected to follow the established guidelines of the organization. If we manage recess,
collect lunch money, do bus duty, handle extracurricular activities, and turn in grades when
expected, we will probably be left alone by our administrators. Whether we like it or not,
there are many mundane expectations attached to our job which we must follow in order to
avoid conflict with our administrators.
In conclusion, "roles are inextricably bound to the communication process. Teacher
and student roles are developed and maintained through communication" (Galvin, 1990, p.
197). The roles we perform as teachers are often many and complex. The roles we perform
as teachers all involve some form of verbal or nonverbal communication. It is the
communication attached to these roles that is one of the primary instigators of teacher
burnout. Since the teachers' roles we will be discussing require major amounts of
communication, it is likely some of us will be burned out after several years, or perhaps only
months, of attempting to meet these roles. Before we discuss symptoms of burnout, we will
review the many roles of an instructional manager.
Roles of an I nstructional Manager
While there are hundreds of roles that a teacher performs on a daily basis we have
chosen to use the primary role functions provided by Galvin (1990). She explicates five
major role functions. They are: providing content expertise; providing learning
management; providing evaluative feedback; providing socialization; and providing personal
models.
Chapter Fifteen - 204
Providing Content Expertise
"The finest teachers care passionately about their subject. They find joy in tall<ing
about the field of study that pervades their lives" (Galvin, 1990, p. 200). Regardless of our
content area of expertise, each of us is committed to disseminating knowledge to our
students so that they can grow, develop, and foster a love of learning. Whether we are
English, math, science, communication, home economics, or foreign language teachers, we
are constantly striving to learn more and enrich ourselves in our field of content so that we
can keep up-to-date with our content area. We not only want to stay up-to-date for
ourselves but so that we have current knowledge which we can disseminate to our students.
Learning i^lanagement
"Not only must teachers know their subjects; they must communicate them
effectively with learners" (Galvin, 1990, p. 201). Learning management means creating a
classroom environment in which there are numerous instructional opportunities to learn, to
demonstrate learning, and to communicate with the instructor. Every teacher can be
successful by using instructional strategies or methods which enhance student learning and
recall. Every teacher can be successful by implementing communication strategies which
allow the student to ask questions, discuss subject matter, bring up new ideas, or comment
on previous ideas. Learning management is not simply finding the right teaching style for
you or the best instructional method. Learning management is being able to effectively
communicate with the student so the student wants to ask questions, pursue more content,
and recall the content at a later date. The most successful teachers are cognizant of the
importance of effective teacher communication in relation to learning management. The
most successful teachers are effective communicators of content.
Providing Evaluation and Feedbacic
One of the more difficult roles we have to fulfill is that of providing evaluations and
feedback to our students. The evaluation or feedback process often interferes with the
successful transmission of information to our students. Students, regardless of their age,
usually perceive feedback to be evaluative, most likely negative, and a way the teacher
uses to demonstrate her or his power. Grades, of course, are the most common form of
feedback in the instructional process. Teachers must work hard at mastering a number of
ways of giving evaluations or feedback to their students. Grades cannot be the only form of
feedback. For most of us, if grades were the only form of feedback, we would have quit long
ago. The same is true for many of our students.
Chapter Fifteen - 205
Providing feedbacic and evaluations in sucin a way tinat students will not be "turned
off" to the teacher, the task, or the content, takes a very highly skilled communicator.
Teachers must decide what feedback works well, when, and how to use it. This suggests
that we must be constantly communicating with our students, and changing to adapt to
their needs. This, basically is what we are doing. As teachers we are constantly giving
evaluative feedback of some type to our students and they are constantly evaluating us.
The skilled communicator knows when to use peer feedback, peer assistance, written
feedback, oral feedback, one-on-one feedback, one-to-many feedback, encouragement,
supportiveness, and responsiveness.
Providing Socialization
"Classrooms are the settings for academic socialization to an entire field and to ways
of thinking" (Galvin, 1990, p. 202). Classrooms are the environments where students learn
about the world, societal rules, peoples of the world, economy, governments, everyday
events, cultural happenings and displays, and the communication process. We provide our
students insight into all the above. Galvin notes:
As a representative of an academic field and an academic way of life, a
teacher discusses his or her intellectual positions, research interests, and the
process of intellectual growth. Students question, react, and contribute
positions learned elsewhere, (p. 202)
While many outside of education like to think our impact in the socialization arena is low, we
know better. Our communication impact on our students assists them in cultural, social, and
academic awareness.
Personal Role Models
"Teachers teach who they are as well as what they believe intellectually" (Galvin,
1990, p. 203.). Through our verbal and nonverbal communication behaviors we teach our
students who we are, what we are, and what we believe. From the first moment a student
spies us in our schools, he or she is formulating an opinion of who we are based upon our
communication behaviors. We should constantly ask, "How do our students see us?" Do
they view us as friends, mentors, counselors, enemies, rule breakers, rule maintainers,
active participants in the classroom, passive participants in the classroom, conflict
managers, or as irrelevant to them?
Chapter Fifteen - 206
We teach our students how we feel about them, the classroom, the subject, the text,
the school, the administrators, and the educational model through our communication. We
cannot not communicate our feelings to our students. We cannot not communicate how we
feel about them. We cannot not communicate how we feel about ourselves to them. Our
students expect to see us as friends, positive role models, and mentors. Our students
expect to see us as competent communicators, knowing how, when, and what to
communicate, and being able to communicate effectively. They expect us to be effective
communication role models, which means we are constantly on the spot to be "perfect"
communicators.
The preceding five functions encompass most roles that teachers are expected to
fulfill in the classroom. The key to successful fulfillment of the five functions is successful,
competent, teacher communication. Learning to communicate effectively is not as easy as
one might think. Like any other subject it takes time, effort, study, and practice. And like
any other subject we can have successes and failures. Being a competent communicator can
reduce classroom problems and disturbances, and increase student affect. Attempting to
fulfill all these roles and the communication demands of each role may be a factor in
teacher burnout. Below is a discussion of symptoms and causes of teacher burnout. Lastly,
methods for handling or coping with burnout will be discussed.
Teacher Burnout
Every few months there is a new listing of jobs that cause burnout. It seems that on
every list the job of "teacher" is very near the top of the list, if not in the top five jobs that
cause burnout. Here is a listing of some jobs that commonly carry the potential for burnout
besides teaching: psychologist; nurse; doctor; social worker; air traffic controller;
counselor; stock market trader or analyst; truck driver; insurance executive or salesperson;
lawyer; garment industry buyer; dentist; minister; middle level mangers; and child care
persons. This is by no means an exhaustive list of the potential burnout jobs. This is only a
sampling of the jobs that have the potential for employee burnout.
The fact remains that "teacher" is usually near the top of every list of potential jobs
that cause burnout. Why is our job so taxing? Why are we likely candidates for burnout?
What is burnout? Job burnout is an affliction where an employee begins to slowly but
steadily and surely feel fatigued, weary, tired, discouraged, uncomfortable, disenfranchised,
disengaged, hostile, and inadequate in her or his job position. Teacher burnout is when a
teacher begins to gradually but surely feel fatigued, weary, tired, discouraged.
Chapter Fifteen - 207
uncomfortable, disenfranchised, disengaged, inostile, and inadequate about \r\er or \r\\s job
position.
Burnout or "battle fatigue" or "school fatigue" does not occur overnight; it is a slow,
creeping, insidious, affliction that steadily works its way into a teacher's spirit. Eventually, if
unnoticed or not managed, burnout can lead to feelings of dislike, discontent, hostility, and
non-caring on the part of the teacher. Let us be specific about two points:
1. Teachers who are caring, committed, dedicated, and competent
communicators are most likely to be prone to experience burnout.
2. Teachers who are constantly talking (whining) about burnout, overwork, and
over commitment are not likely to be candidates for burnout. In fact, these
whining teachers are more than likely contributing to the more competent
teachers' burnout.
It is the rare person who recognizes burnout in her or himself before a colleague,
friend, or spouse recognizes it. Those who talk about how "burned out they are" are
probably not. Paradoxically, it is the committed, dedicated, hard working, competent
communicators and teachers who are prone to burnout. The rarely recognize it until
someone else points it out to them and then they often don't believe their colleague. Why,
then, are teachers who are competent communicators prone to burnout? Because they are
constantly bombarded with many communication circumstances, which require them to be
experts. They are experiencing communication overloads on a daily basis. The average
teacher talks to or with more than thirty persons on a daily basis. Each of these
communicative situations demands a different style of communication. Those of us who are
in high communication demand jobs are simply more prone to burnout, even if we are the
most competent of competent communicators. It is ironic that competent communicators
are prone to burnout, but it makes sense. Below is a discussion of the symptoms of teacher
burnout.
Symptoms of Teacher Burnout
In order for someone to be a candidate for burnout, they must have a number of the
symptoms and they must have the symptoms for a long period of time. Burnout does not
occur overnight. Burnout is a process of beginning to feel weary, tired, and unconcerned
about our job and the people we used to care about. Remember, you must have had a
Chapter Fifteen - 208
number of the symptoms below for a long period of time before you can say you are
experiencing burnout.
Communication Symptoms
Communication disorders or negative change in one's communication style is a
major, if not the major, symptom of teacher burnout. A teacher who is normally caring,
concerned, dedicated, and committed gradually begins to communicate non-caring, non-
concern, non-dedication, and non-commitment. This type of change in communication style
is a definite sign that the teacher may be experiencing burnout. Other forms of
communication may be present. For example, the teacher may communicate hostilities,
anxieties, frustrations, and inadequacies that they never communicated before. They
become hostile, anxious, frustrated, and often feel inadequate in their communication
attempts. They have lost their self-assuredness, confidence, and dedication. They will often
communicate in a hostile manner with colleagues, administrators, and students, when they
never did in the past. Communication disorders could also include teacher destructive
communication strategies such as: calling students, colleagues, or administrators by ugly
names; attempting to control all communication situations; withdrawing from many
communication situations; creating communication distractions when others are talking;
being rude in conversations by interrupting others or ignoring others' communications;
talking in a dull, monotone voice; mumbling; rambling in conversations; disregarding or not
listening when others are talking to them; often asking others to repeat comments or
questions; making ugly jokes about others; seem to have misplaced their sense of humor;
and communicating with nonverbally aggressive or isolating behaviors (e.g., physically
pushes students, or keeps the door to office closed when it used to be open and so on).
Physiological Symptoms
Physiological symptoms are also major predictors of teacher burnout or fatigue.
These symptoms can be isolated by the individual but they often don't pay attention to
physiological changes. Some of the symptoms we will refer to are non-gender specific, while
others clearly are female or male symptoms. Some physiological symptoms of burnout are:
High blood pressure; high blood sugar or increased glucose level; weight gain or weight
loss; increased or a slowed heart rate; dryness of the mouth; insomnia; increased sleeping
patterns; profuse sweating; dilation of eyes; increase in aches and pains; headaches;
migraines; swallowing problems; digestive problems; hypertension; increase, recurrence, or
emergence of allergies, asthma, or other medical problems; colitis; ulcers; difficulty
Chapter Fifteen - 209
urinating or need to urinate more often; menstrual problems; and hot or cold flashes. Often
a person who is experiencing burnout, has chronic, continued physical deterioration which
others notice but they often don't notice. Occasionally we can recognize another teacher in
our school who is having a physical metamorphosis right before our eyes. He or she is
physically falling apart.
Behavioral Symptoms
Behavioral symptoms or actual behaviors are also predictors of teacher burnout or
fatigue. Some of the behavioral symptoms are: Becoming accident prone; falling; not
watching where walking; emotional outbursts; odd physical behaviors or ticks develop;
impulsive actions occur; nervous giggle or laughter; needs a prescription drug or alcoholic
reinforcer during the day; begins or increases smoking; consumes more food; and seems
nervous or anxious most of the time. Last but not least are clear-cut job related or
organizational symptoms.
Organizational Symptoms
Organizational symptoms are behavioral and attitudinal changes which occur in
teachers as a function of being burned out. In reading these behaviors keep in mind that
they are changes in a person's normal behavior. Below are some of the organizational
behaviors or symptoms teachers exhibit when approaching burnout: Tardiness or lateness
for work or class; cavalier attitude about paperwork, assigned duties, and school policy; at
times border line insubordination; refusal to do any extra assignments other than what is
the normal teaching assignment; refusal to participate in teacher or school workshops;
breaks school rules; ignores school rules; student projects, papers, and assignments turned
back late, if at all; skips or fails to perform minor duties, such as in cafeteria during lunch;
leaves class often; ignores students who don't follow school policy; encourages students
and others teachers to break school policy; and generally conveys the attitude that "I can
do what I want, you can't fire me," or the attitude that says "I just don't care anymore."
Figure 16.1 is a measure you might use which lets you determine how you feel about your
position.
In conclusion, no one behavior or attitude is predictive of teacher burnout or fatigue.
As stated earlier, there must be a number of symptoms that occur over a long period of
time to assume that one is experiencing burnout. The first symptoms to look for are either a
negative change in communication style or physiological symptoms. It is the caring.
Chapter Fifteen - 210
competent communicators and teachers who are most prone to burnout. If you are one of
these, begin watching for burnout before it has consumed you.
Teacher Burnout Measure
Directions: Complete the following measure and calculate your score. This measure is
designed to determine how you currently feel about your job and its related aspects. There
are no right or wrong answers. Work quickly and circle your first impression. Please indicate
the degree to which each statement applies to you by marking whether you:
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
1
2
3
4
5
1. I am bored with my job.
2. I am tired of my students.
3. I am weary with all of my job responsibilities.
4. My job doesn't excite me any more.
5. I dislike going to my job.
6. I feel alienated at work.
7. I feel frustrated at work.
8. I avoid communication with students.
9. I avoid communication with my colleagues.
10. I communicate in a hostile manner at work.
11. I feel ill at work.
12. I think about calling my students ugly names.
13. I avoid looking at my students.
14. My students make me sick.
15. I feel sick to my stomach when I think about work.
16. I wish people would leave me alone at work.
17. I dread going into a classroom.
18. I am apathetic about my job.
19. I feel stressed at work.
20. I have problems concentrating at work.
SCORING: Add up your scores for all 20 items.
INTERPRETATION: 20-35 means you have few burnout feelings; 36-55 means you have
some strong feelings of burnout; 56-70 means you have substantial burnout feelings; and
71-80 means you are experiencing burnout.
Figure 16.1 Teacher Burnout Measure
Causes of Teacher Burnout
While there may be many causes of teacher burnout, the two primary causes are
continued job stress over long periods of time and communication overloads. These two
factors combined with other variables such as personal, financial, physical, or emotional
Chapter Fifteen - 211
problems can cause a good, effective teacher to become a poor, ineffective teaciner. Again,
job stress over long periods of time can contribute to burnout, as can, communication
overloads over long periods of time. Both combined form a deadly effect of causing a good,
caring, dedicated teacher to gradually but slowly turn into a poor, ineffective, non caring
teacher. Of course, the outcomes of burnout are devastating. The teacher may feel useless
in her or his job. The teacher may negatively impact student behavior, performance,
communication, and affect. The teacher may lose the esteem and respect of her or his
colleagues and administrators. And lastly, the teacher may lose esteem and respect for her
or himself. It is a shame but more and more teachers are reporting burnout and there
doesn't seem to be a quick, workable solution available. We should do all we can do to avoid
burnout and assist any colleagues we think are experiencing burnout.
One major cause of burnout can be attributed to a crisis that may arise in an
individual's life. According to Roberts (1991), a crisis "can be defined as a period of
psychological disequilibrium, experienced as a result of a hazardous event or situation that
constitutes a significant problem that cannot be remedied by using familiar coping
strategies" (p. 4). Pittman (1987) explains further, "A crisis results when stress comes to
bear upon a system and requires change outside the system's usual repertoire" (p. 4).
Pittman (1987) goes on to discuss the different types of crises that can arise. All crises
affect an individual at work because these crises have a tendency of zapping one's strength
away, which makes it very difficult for the person to concentrate, and ultimately leads to
lower productivity, harsher feelings towards one's work, and eventually burnout.
Bolts from the Blue
Though this form of crisis is the least likely to strike, these crises can cause a person
to experience psychological disequilbrium. This type of crisis is a crisis that is completely
unavoidable and just comes out of nowhere: house burns down, collapsed economy, air
plane crash, lottery ticket wins, black sheep of the family returns home.
Developmental
Humans experience developmental crises all through our lives. Events like births,
marriages, deaths, child launching (when a child leaves the nest), retirement, and death are
all examples of developmental crises. These crises are unavoidable and often influence us in
ways that are completely unexpected. A person may love teaching, but when her or his
spouse dies, the teaching is no longer rewarding and the person becomes burned out.
Chapter Fifteen - 212
structural
Structural crises are crises tinat occur because a member of tine family on a recurring
basis does not allow the family to exist in equilibrium. Examples of structural crises are
alcoholic/drug addicted family members, violent family members, or adulterous family
members. These members of our family prevent us from being able to concentrate on
anything but their care. Eventually all of our energy goes into caring, or enabling, this
family member that outside factors (such as work) just seem like annoyers.
Caretaker
Caretaker crises are crises that occur when a person who is supposed to have power
is not exercising her or his power correctly. If a subordinate suddenly finds that he or she
has to do not only their job, but also their boss's job at the same time, this can lead to a
caretaker crisis. This kind of crisis can effect a family when a child finds her or himself in a
parental position. In essence, the person who has legitimate power is forcing a subordinate
who does not have legitimate power into a position that requires the necessary legitimate
power for action to occur. This leads to burnout because a person is given too much to do
too quickly, with no preparation.
Methods for Avoiding Burnout
1. One of the primary means of avoiding burnout is to avoid overloads for long
periods of time. Remember it is the caring, high achieving teacher who is most likely to
suffer burnout. Therefore, on occasion we need to say in a firm, but polite way "NO" to
someone's request to perform an extra duty or do an extra job. Often we don't realize how
overloaded we are until we are to the point of exhaustion and then we don't know what to
unload.
2. Every time we accept a new assignment, we should attempt to realign or
redistribute other assignments. If this means moving another responsibility onto another
colleague, then we should do so. Each of us can only effectively handle so many
responsibilities before we aren't handling any of them well. Before we get caught in the
"overload trapping" let's give up some of our responsibilities. It is bad enough to be
overloaded, but it is worse to do a poor job.
3. Avoid communication with others which might lead to conflict. Conflict in an
organization can wear us down, take time away from our jobs, and leave us in a state of
depression, confusion, and burnout. For example, severe conflict such as labor versus
Chapter Fifteen - 213
management can cause an employee to feel overloaded, depressed, depersonalized, and
insecure.
4. Reduce the physical demands or stresses placed on us at work and home. While
this suggestion may seem trivial, sometimes demands such as moving furniture, carrying
heavy loads, lifting, working in a poorly lighted environment, working in a foul environment,
working in high temperatures, or working in overly crowded, highly dense environments can
cause stress to increase. If we can reduce physical stresses then we might be able to reduce
psychological stresses.
5. We should attempt to reduce uncertainty in our school environment. Miller, Ellis,
Zook, & Lyies (1990) suggest that uncertainty reduction can have a positive impact on
stress and help prevent employee burnout. By participating in certain decision making
groups, procuring needed information about our jobs, and seeking needed feedback from
others, employee uncertainty can be reduced and burnout can be avoided.
6. Teachers need a communicatively responsive support group available to them just
as many other American workers and professionals have. Teachers need to communicate
with someone who understands, has empathy for, and can communicate about their
problems. Too often schools assume that teachers can handle any problem because they
handle so many problems in their daily educational lives. Teachers are like other
professionals, they are very good at handling problems which arise in the work
environment, but terrible at managing their own problems.
7. Teachers who are on the road to burnout should reduce the communication
demands in their environment or at least give themselves "five minutes off from
communication." This is not to suggest that teachers should avoid communication with
others. It is a suggestion to have more control over whom, how long, how often, and when
we communicate with someone or about a certain issue. Often we feel in order to be
effective communicators we have to communicate all the time, when in fact in order to be
an effective communicator we need to have effective communication. Occasionally take "five
minutes off from the communication" that surrounds you in your school. This allows you to
collect your thoughts and feel less stressed.
8. Occasionally say to yourself, "good job, nice work, way to go, I made it through
another day." Cognitively and orally restructuring how we react to our days and situations
can make any day or situation more manageable. As H. Peck Sr. used to tell his children,
"Sometimes you have to be your own best cheerleader." As B. Peck used to tell her
children, "Be kind to yourself, stop being so hard on yourself." In conclusion, practice
random acts of kindness and caring on yourself once in awhile.
Chapter Fifteen - 214
Mentoring to Prevent Burnout
There's an old story about a parakeet named Pretty Boy. Over many years Pretty
Boy's master had taught him to sing a number of songs. The master would name a song,
and Pretty Boy would just start to sing away. One day the master was using a vacuum
attachment that was just perfect to clean Pretty Boy's cage. The phone rang and Pretty
Boy's master picked up the phone and stopped paying attention to the hose. The next thing
the master knew the parakeet got sucked up into the vacuum cleaner. In fear, the master
ripped open the vacuum cleaner's bag finding Pretty Boy among the dirt and grime. The
master quickly rushed Pretty Boy to the nearest sink and gave Pretty Boy a bath. Realizing
the error in this bath, the master quickly grabbed a hair dryer to dry the scared bird. A
week later, a reporter named Marlene from the local paper heard about the famous
parakeet's mishap. She went to the master's house and asked the master how Pretty Boy
was doing. Without expression, the master turned and looked at Marlene and said, "Pretty
Boy doesn't sing much anymore. He just sort of sits and stares."
The story of Pretty Boy is a great example of some of the problems teachers face in
the schools. During teacher education at the collegiate level, teachers are taught to sing a
lot of great songs. Sadly, when the teacher is placed into the school, they are often not
prepared for what is expected. The vacuum hose called students quickly causes many
unexpected problems, the bath of paperwork drowns the teachers even more, and the hair
dryer of administration quickly tries to take care of situations in an ineffective manner. All of
these things combined together cause a teacher who at one point was ready to sing on
request, to become stagnant and just sort of "sit and stare." According to an article in
Techniques: Connecting Education & Careers (2000), 50% of teachers in urban areas leave
in their first year. This number is even higher for teachers living in rural areas. With the
coming crisis of teacher shortages, coming up with new ways to retain teachers is becoming
increasingly important. One way to retain teachers is through in-school and out-of-school
mentoring programs.
Mentoring, as a concept, goes back thousands of years to Homer's epic poem Tiie
Odyssey. Homer tells the story of an elderly and wise sea captain named Mentor who gives
Odysseus's sun, Telemachus, guidance while his father is gone on his long journey. In
modern times, the word mentor is used to refer to a relationship where one individual with
more knowledge and experience aids another individual who has less knowledge and
experience. Bell (2000) defines a mentor as "someone who helps someone else learn
something that he or she would have learned less well, more slowly, or not at all if left
Chapter Fifteen - 215
alone" (p. 53). Blair-Larsen (1998) believed that the basic goal of a mentoring program
"whether implemented at the state or local level is to offer intervention that orients new and
returning teachers to the school and community and to provide instructional and
interpersonal support that fosters professional development and retention of teachers" (p.
602).
While there are a number of different ways to enter into a mentoring situation, we
discuss three different types of mentoring programs. First, individuals can enter into a
mentoring partnership like Bell (2000) suggests. In this form of mentoring, the mentor and
the person being mentored realize that they can learn from each other. As we become more
grounded in our fields, we often forget to listen to new perspectives and ideas. By
mentoring an individual who has less experience, a more seasoned professional can learn
some new ideas while imparting the wisdom they have received over the years through
trial-and-error.
A second mentoring perspective is through co-mentoring groups. Co-mentoring
groups, as Lick (2000) suggests, involve the whole faculty as a mentoring tool. Lick
describes the co-mentoring groups as those "in which members of the group mentor one
another. In constructive co-mentoring groups, each person acts as a sponsor, advocate, and
guide. They teach, advise, critique, and support each other to express, pursue, and finalize
goals" (p. 47). In this type of mentoring concept, mentoring is an ongoing process in which
everyone plays a role. While these types of groups are hard to get started and keep
maintained, the benefits of mentoring beyond just the first year of teaching can be very
important.
The third approach to mentoring is a new approach that a number of universities are
using around the nation to keep up with first-year teachers entering the field. Eisenman and
Holly (1999) noticed that most mentoring programs do not provide types of support
necessary for continued professional development of the novice teacher. For this reason, the
research team investigated the use of telementoring as a possible fix to correct this
problem. Telementoring is using new technology to allow professional teachers to
communicate with other teachers and university professors as a means of mentoring.
Students were able to log onto a specific web page to keep in touch with students they went
to school with, ask questions, and discuss problems related to the field. Overall, this method
of mentoring was shown to be effective and all of the teachers involved in the mentoring
program stayed beyond their first year.
In summary, if you are burned out or moving toward burnout, you will not be any
good in the classroom, for your school, or to yourself. You will have hostile feelings about
Chapter Fifteen - 216
others, feel dehumanized, feel alienated, and feel as if you are an inadequate communicator
and teacher. In order to remain a competent communicator and professional you must learn
to reduce stress, reduce communication overloads, and reduce workloads. If burnout
overcomes us, we will not be effective professional educators, communicators, or personal
role models. If you are not good to yourself, no one else will be good to you either. Good
teachers are hard to find so let's take care of ourselves.
References and Recommended Readings
Bell, C. R. (2000). The mentor as partner. Training & Development, 54, 52-56.
Blair-Larsen, S. M. (2000). Designing a mentoring program. Education, 118, 602-604.
Bloch, A. M. (1977). The battered teacher. In A. S. Alschuler with J. Carl, R. Leslie, I.
Schweiger, & D. Uustal (Eds.). Teaciier burnout. Washington, DC: National Education
Association.
Canter, L., & Canter, M. (1994). Tlie iiigii performing teaciier: Avoiding burnout and
increasing your motivation. Santa Monica, CA: Lee Canter and Associates.
Eisenman, G., & Thorton, H. (1999). Telementoring: Helping new teachers through the first
year. THE Journal, 26, 79-82.
Galvin, K. M. (1990). Classroom roles of the teacher. In J. A. Daly, G. W. Friedrich, & A. L.
Vangelisti (Eds.). Teaching communication: Theory, research, and methods, (pp.
195-206). Hillsdale, NJ : Lawrence Eribaum.
Golembiewski, R. T., & Munzenrider, R. F. (1988). Phases of burnout: Developments in
concepts and applications. New York: Praeger.
Lick, D. W. (2000). Whole-faculty study groups: Facilitating mentoring for school-wide
change. Theory into Practice, 39, 43-49.
McCroskey, J . C. (1998). An introduction to communication in the classroom (2"^ Ed.).
Acton, MA: Tapestry Press.
Mentoring May. (2000). Mentoring may aid teacher retention. Techniques: Connecting
Education & Careers, 75 (4), 9.
Miller, K. I., Stiff, J. B., & Ellis, B. H. (1988). Communication and empathy as precursors to
burnout among human service workers. Communication Monographs, 55, 250-265.
Miller, K. I., Ellis, B. H., Zook, E. G., & Lyies, J. S. (1990). An integrated model of
communication, stress, and burnout in the workplace. Communication Research, 17,
300-326.
Pittman, F. (1987). A theory of family crisis: Ideas about stress and snag points. In Turning
points: Treating families in transition and crisis (pp. 3-27). New York: Norton.
Chapter Fifteen - 217
Richmond, V. P., & McCroskey, J. C. (1992). Organizational communication for survival.
Englewood Cliffs, NJ : Prentice Hall.
Roberts, A.R. (1991). Conceptualizing crisis theory and the crisis intervention model. In A.R.
Roberts (Ed.), Contemporary perspectives on crisis intervention and prevention (pp.
3-8). Englewood Cliffs, NJ : Prentice-Hall.
Shinn, M., Roasrio, M., Morch, H., & Chestnut, D. E. (1984). Coping with job stress and
burnout in the human services. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 46,
864-876.
Chapter Fifteen - 218
Appendix
To Mrs. Russell:
Without You This Never
Would Have Happened
Growing up, I was the child that everyone dreaded to have show up in their
classroom. I was unruly, talkative, and slow. As early as Kindergarten the teachers decided
that I was too slow to keep up with the other children, so I was placed with other slow
learners. All throughout my elementary career I was anything but the ideal student. I was a
troublemaker. In the second grade, students who misbehaved were forced to wear a red
block of wood with a gigantic sad face painted on it called a sad face block. When a student
was forced to wear the block, s/he could not talk to anyone but the teacher. I personally
think I still have a rope chafe from where the rope bit into the back of my neck on almost a
daily basis.
My grades were also the poorest declaration of a school system. If I was lucky, I got
the occasional C. My parents hoped that one-day I would actually be allowed to graduate
high school, or at least get a GED and go work at some fast food restaurant. In the third
grade, my teacher truly hated me. When my grandfather had visited one day, he demanded
that I be removed from the teacher's classroom because of the spiteful and mean spirited
way that she related to me.
Then when I was in the fourth grade, the resource (the term used for slower
students) classroom was taken away because they needed the space for "normal" students.
After searching throughout the entire building, the administration decided that our class was
to be held in a janitor's closet. Throughout my entire elementary career I was constantly
being told by teachers and administrators that I was stupid, slow and just not good enough
to be with the other students. To say that my self-esteem was "Shot to Hell" would be
putting it nicely. I often felt like I had been God's only mistake. I felt useless, dumb, and
bad. Being forced to wear a red block that symbolized that I had made a mistake, forced me
to become introverted and unaware to life's joys. Being told that I was not good enough to
have a classroom, but that there was a lovely janitor's closet where I could learn, made me
think that I was only as good as the trash that inhabited my classroom. Constantly being
told that there was no hope for me and that I might as well not even try, had killed the
spirit of a once bright and eager child.
At the beginning of my sixth grade year, I was given the opportunity to join the
school orchestra. The only problem was that if I joined orchestra I would not be able to be
Appendix A - 219
in resource any longer. My parents and the school administrators hashed it out and it was
decided that I would be allowed to join the orchestra. Therefore, I joined the main stream of
the school for the first time.
My homeroom teacher was a gentlewoman of about forty-five. She welcomed me
into her class on the first day of school with a big smile and the desire to teach. The sixth
graders were located in portables or classrooms that a school district can transport from one
place to another when a school needs more classes and it would be too expensive to add on
to the school. This was the first time that I was in a classroom where I could only see and
hear my teacher. Before this, all of the "regular" classrooms had been in open-concept
classrooms - these are classrooms where there are no walls and doors between the
connecting classrooms. In these classrooms, students could see and hear everything that
was going on in every room around them. This had always made it extremely hard for me to
focus on what the teacher was saying, and since I was a poor student, I had always been
placed in the back of the room near the other classrooms.
Having a closed room in the sixth grade allowed me to focus only on what the
teacher was saying, and not everything else that was going on around me. My homeroom
teacher was named Mrs. Russell. Mrs. Russell was a first year teacher at my school, even
though she had been teaching for years elsewhere. She was friendly and would only be
negative when she absolutely had to discipline a child.
Mrs. Russell decided at the beginning of the year that every student in the room was
going to have a specific job within the classroom. I was quickly assigned to be the desk
monitor. I half think that I got this specific job because my desk was the most horrendous
area anyone could ever imagine. My job was very simple, after school each day I would
check everyone's desk and make sure that it was clean. If the person's desk was clean, I
would put a blue piece of paper on it. If a student collected five blue strips they would then
get candy from Mrs. Russell. If their desk was dirty, they would receive a yellow strip of
paper and be forced to give up all of their blue strips. If a student received two of these,
they would be held after school in detention. I was the one who came up with the entire
idea. Mrs. Russell used this format of checking desks until the day she retired in May 1997.
For the first time in my life I had a passion about something. I loved the power that being
the desk monitor actually gave me. I never once abused the power because I knew that
Mrs. Russell had instilled trust in me to be just. Over and over she would compliment me on
doing a great job. She also would say things like, "You're going to grow up and be
something pretty special." "You can do anything you want in life Jason, as long as you put
your mind to it."
Appendix A - 220
Mrs. Russell was the first teacher who had ever been nice to me. She told me that I
was a person. She showed me that I was a good person despite what the sad block had
said. She told me that I was smart; I just had to apply myself and do the work. She told me
that I was worthy of living as a human being. Many people talk about that one teacher that
just absolutely changes their life. Mine would definitely have had to have been Mrs. Russell.
That year my grades went from C's and D's to A's and B's. The dramatic change
came simply because one teacher loved and cared enough to take the time to work with me
and show me how much she cared. As one former president of the National Speakers
Association, Cavett Roberts, once said, "They don't care how much you know, until they
know how much you care!"
At the end of my sixth grade year I was encouraged by Mrs. Russell to apply to the
honors junior high school. I discussed it with my parents and we decided that I should try to
apply. I filled out the paper work and acquired the proper recommendations, but figured I
had no chance of making it.
About a month later, my principal announced over the loud speaker that anyone who
had applied to a magnet school needed to come to the main office. All of the students who
had applied to the honors junior high mingled around the room. Some leered at me
wandering what "the dummy" (what many classmates referred to me as) was doing there.
Since my last name starts with a "W," I was the last one to get their letter of acceptance or
rejection. I took a huge breath and gulped as I slid my finger under the envelope's sealant.
I was in! I leaped for joy and told everyone I saw. I had gone from being one of the dumb
resource kids to being in an honors junior high school. There were many people around the
room who had not been accepted into the program. People that had always stuck their
noses in the air when I walked by thinking of me as the "dummy" did not even get into the
school. I had finally come around in my academic life.
Not only did I go to the honors junior high, but I also went to the honor's high school
and ended up graduating Magna Cum Laude from college. My road to academic and
intellectual maturity has been a tough one at many times. I often wonder how many kids
like myself were left on the side of the academic road. How many brilliant kids never meet
their Mrs. Russell and therefore never achieve the potential that they actually have. I also
wonder where I would be if I had not had a teacher who showed me that she cared.
Currently I am finishing my doctorate in communication studies and curriculum and
instruction (who would have guessed). I have also had the opportunity to teach classes on
the University level. If anything, Mrs. Russell has inspired me to be the kind of teacher that
she was for me. I hope that I will always recognize a diamond in the rough. I hope that I
Appendix A - 221
will never pass a student on thinking that they just are not smart enough. I hope that I will
boost my students' self-esteem, not destroy it. Mrs. Russell is a very hard act to follow as a
teacher, but is a wonderful role model.
I'll never forget the day I entered into my old elementary school for Mrs. Russell's
retirement party. I had never stepped foot in the building since I left. I had kept in touch
with Mrs. Russell. When I had graduated from high school, she and her husband sent me a
graduation present. When I had a short stint as a radio talk show host for a Christian radio
station, Mrs. Russell was my biggest fan.
Walking into that school brought a flood of emotions upon me. I remember looking
at the door that led to the janitor's closet where I had spent a lot of the fourth grade. I
remember seeing classrooms and feeling the torment that went along with those rooms. But
then there was Mrs. Russell, the woman whom I had come to say thank you. Even now as I
write, I still have huge tears that swell in my eyes as I think about her generosity and loving
spirit.
I gave her a small teddy bear (the school's mascot) with a huge bouquet of balloons
from my family. (My dad had wanted to build a monument in her honor, but that would
have been going a little over board, right?) I also gave her a copy of a paper I had written
in college dealing with an event or person that changed your life.
It often amazes me at how God knows when we need someone the most and
miraculously places him or her in our lives at those times. Without Mrs. Russell in my life,
who knows where I would have gone and what I would have done?
When I graduated with my undergraduate degree, I dedicated my undergraduate
thesis (just like I will for my master's thesis and my doctoral dissertation) to "Mrs. Russell -
With out you this never would have happened."
Reprinted with Permission from the Author
Wrench, J. S. (2000). To Mrs. Russell. In D. James (Ed.) Teens Can Bounce Back: Stories
for the Waves of Life, (pp. 85-92). Camp Hill, PA: Horizon Books.
Conclusion
We sincerely hope after reading this textbook, that you can be Mrs. Russell for all of
your students. Mrs. Russell was a teacher who was like you. She did her job and built affect
in her classroom. Building affect in the classroom is unbelievably important. This story could
have been about you.
Appendix A - 222
Glossary
Accomodator (Type IV Learner): These learners perceive information concretely and
process it actively. They learn well by trial and error, with teachers who serve as evaluators
and remediators, but who encourage self-discovery. They are dynamic learners with a very
practical orientation; they prefer to teach themselves and then share what they have
learned with others.
ADDI E: I nstructional design model that stands for Analyze- Design- Develop-I mplement-
Evaluate.
Affective Learning: Learning that emphasizes behaviors and objectives that have some
emotional overtones and encompasses a learner's likes and dislikes, attitudes, values and
beliefs.
Assimilator (Type II Learner): These learners perceive information abstractly and
process it reflectively. Schools are traditionally designed for these learners, who value
sequential thinking, details and expert opinion. They are data collectors, more interested in
ideas than applications, and they learn best with teachers who assume the role of
information giver.
Attitude: A predisposition to respond to people, ideas, or objects in an evaluative way.
Behavioral Self: Aspect related to self-concept that evaluates how one acts or what one
does (e.g., I play, I read, I ride a bike, I go to school, I do nothing, etc.).
Belief: Our perception of reality about whether something is true or false.
Bolts From the Blue: A crisis that comes out of no where (e.g., house burns down, you
are robbed, etc.).
Bullying: The use of verbal and/or nonverbal messages to intimidate another person.
Caretaker Crisis: A crisis that occurs because a person who is suppose to have power is
not exercising her or his power correctly (e.g., when the child has to take care of her or his
parent).
Chronemics: The ways in which different cultures perceive and use time.
Closed-Ended Questions: Type of question that provides a small range of possible correct
answers. Answers can be predicted, require limited thought by the student, and can be
answered with brief responses.
Cognitive Learning: Learning that emphasizes recall or recognition of knowledge and the
development of intellectual abilities and skills.
Communication: The process of a person or persons stimulating meaning in the mind of
another person or persons by means of verbal and/or nonverbal messages.
Communication Apprehension: The fear or anxiety associated with either real or
anticipated communication with another person or persons.
Glossary - 223
Converger (Type III Learner): These learners perceive information abstractly and
process it actively. They seek utility and enjoy solving problems that test theories against
common sense. They resent being given answers, and they have a limited tolerance for
"fuzzy" ideas that cannot be applied practically. They learn best with teachers who act as
coaches while facilitating hands-on experience.
Crisis: A period of psychological disequilibrium, experienced as a result of a hazardous
event or situation that constitutes a significant problem that cannot be remedied by using
familiar coping strategies
Developmental Crisis: A crisis that comes when entering a part of the life cycle (e.g.,
birth, marriage, death, etc.).
Diverger (Type I Learner): These learners perceive information concretely and process it
reflectively. They are innovative, imaginative, and concerned with personal relevance. They
need to clarify the ways in which a new concept or area of study links with previous
experiences before they are receptive to learning it. They learn best through methods that
encourage brainstorming and empathy.
Esteem Needs: Needs affiliated with the desire to have status, dignity, respect,
recognition, attention, and to be appreciated by others.
Evaluation Apprehension: The fear or anxiety associated with either real or anticipated
evaluative situations in the classroom. Often EA relates to test anxiety.
Formative Feedback: Form of feedback/ evaluation where learners are assessed
throughout an instructional unit to determine where problems are encountered in mastering
prerequisite or needed skills.
Haptics: The study of the type, amount, uses of, and the results of tactile behavior.
Identity Self: Aspect related to self-concept that evaluates who or what we are (e.g., I am
a student, I am a friend, I am a club president, I am a thug, etc).
Immediacy: The degree of perceived physical or psychological distance between people in
a relationship.
Instructional Communication: The process of the teacher establishing an effective and
affective communication relationship with the student/learner so that the learner has the
chance/opportunity to achieve the optimum/ideal/best success level in the instructional
environment.
Instructional Objectives: Statements that describe what students will be able to do after
completing a prescribed unit of instruction.
J udging Self: Aspect related to self-concept that evaluates what we do and who or what
we are (e.g., I am an effective student, I am a poor student, I am a lousy football player, I
am a bad student, I am the troublemaker in class, etc.).
Kinesics: The study of the communicative aspects of gestures and bodily movements.
Glossary - 224
Learning: The acquisition of l<nowledge/information/sl<ills winicin results in a cinange in
tlninl<ing and/or beinavior in one or all of the three learning domains.
Learning Environment: Physical and/or psychological circumstances/surroundings in
which learning takes place.
Learning Preference: The choice of one learning situation or condition over another.
Learning Style: The manner in which an individual perceives and processes information in
learning situations.
Learning Theory: Problematic social scientific theory for human behavior that alleges that
humans are born as "blank slates" with no personality characteristics, so humans must
learn their personalities.
Love and Belongingness Needs: Needs that encompass a hunger for affection, caring,
belongingness, and perhaps love.
jviastery Learning System: System of learning that allows each student to spend
whatever time is needed to master content before being presented with new material.
jviodified i^lastery Learning System: System of learning based on the mastery learning
system but limits the number of opportunities students have for demonstrating mastery of
instructional objectives.
Need for Affection: A learner's need associated with being liked and giving and receiving
affection from others.
Need for Control: A learner's need associated with being capable of making decisions.
Need for Inclusion: A learner's need to have successful associations and interactions with
other students.
Oculesics: The study of eye behavior, eye contact, eye movement, and the functions of eye
behavior.
Open-Ended Questions: Type of question that provides a wide range of appropriate
responses and require a higher level of thinking.
Overpersonal: Ramification of a student not achieving her or his need for affection in the
classroom that leaves her or him too open, too honest, reveals too much (often
inappropriate) information about themselves, rush relationships, throw caution to the wind,
quick to reveal intimate information about themselves, and prone to ignore academic needs
in order to satisfy their need for affinity.
Personality: A person's phenotype, or the interaction between an individual's genotype
(see temperament) and her or his environment (nurture, diet, socialization, etc.), which is
a reflection of her or his experiences, motivations, attitudes, beliefs, values, and behaviors.
Personality Traits: An individual's predispositions for responding in a certain way to
various situations.
Glossary - 225
Physiological Needs: Basic needs such as food, water, air, sleep, rest, and need for
activity or stimulation.
Poker Chip Theory: Theory of learning that metaphorically sees the teacher as a poker
dealer who has the ability to either take away a player/learner's chips. The chips represent
the player/learner's self-esteem.
Proxemics: The study of the ways in which humans use and communicate with space.
Psychomotor (Behavioral) Learning: Learning that emphasizes performance of a motor
act or skill.
Receiver Apprehension: The degree to which individuals are fearful about misinterpreting,
inadequately processing, and/or being unable to adjust psychologically to incoming
messages.
Reflected appraisal: Shaping of one's self-concept by messages received from others.
Rhetorical/ Relational Theory of Instructional Communication: Theory of instructional
communication proposed by Beebe and Mottet that examines student and teacher needs
and goals in the classroom.
Safety Needs: Needs for safety or protection from threats of harm or actual physical harm.
Skill Lesson: The mental and motor activity required to execute some manual tasks.
Self-Actualization Needs: Needs associated with the desire to do or be what you are
uniquely suited for. Maslow only believed that a VERY select group of people ever truly self-
actualized in history (Buddha, Jesus Christ, Mohammed, and Ghandi).
Self-Concept: The beliefs and attitudes we have about ourselves, or the totality of the
perceptions we have about ourselves.
Self-Esteem: Refers to the way a person evaluates her/himself in terms of overall worth.
The way we perceive ourselves and our actions and our opinions regarding how other
people perceive us.
Social Comparison: Shaping of one's self-concept through conscious and unconscious
comparison of others.
Structural Crisis: A crisis that occurs because of a member of the family - often recurrent
(e.g., alcoholic family member, abusive family member, etc.).
Student Misbehavior: Verbal or nonverbal communication behaviors which interfere with
student learning or another student learning.
Summative Feedback: Form of feedback/ evaluation where learners are provided feedback
by a teacher at the completion of a unit of instruction.
Teacher Apprehension ( Fear of Teacher) : The fear or anxiety associated with
interacting or communication with teachers.
Glossary - 226
Teacher Clarity: The process by which an instructor is able to effectively stimulate the
desired meaning of course content and process in the minds of students through the use of
appropriately-structured verbal and nonverbal messages.
Teacher Indolence: Form of teacher misbehavior epitomized by repeated teacher absence,
repeated tardiness, unprepared and disorganized, deviation from syllabus, late return of
work, and information overload.
Teacher Incompetence: Form of teacher misbehavior epitomized by unclear lectures,
apathy towards students, unfair testing, boring lectures, information overload, lack of
knowledge of subject matter, unintelligible foreign or regional accents, inappropriate
volume, and bad grammar/spelling.
Teacher Misbehavior: Verbal or nonverbal communication behaviors which interfere with
student learning.
Teacher Offensiveness: Form of teacher misbehavior epitomized by inappropriate
sarcasm/putdowns, verbal abuse, unreasonable/arbitrary rules, sexual harassment,
negative personality, and favoritism/prejudice.
Temperament: An individual's genotype, characteristics present early in life caused by
human biology.
Traditional Learning System: System of learning focuses on the teacher as the dispenser
of information and is targeted to the average student, so the responsibility of learning rests
with the student.
Underpersonal: Ramification of a student not achieving her or his need for affection in the
classroom that leaves her or him cold, unfeeling, cautious about relationships, reveal only
superficial information, because of reluctance to reveal information the teacher and other
students inaccurately interpret and inappropriately respond to the student's communication
behaviors.
Values: Our enduring conceptions of the nature of right and wrong, good and bad.
VARK Model: Learning style model created by Neil Fleming to represent the Visual-Aural-
Reading-Kinetic learning modalities.
Vocalics (paralanguage): The study of the communicative value of vocal behavior and
includes all oral cues in the stream of spoken utterances except the words themselves.
Vulture Statements: Self-generated, self-defeating statements that people make to
themselves that have a negative effect on both self-esteem and self-concept.
Writing Apprehension: The fear and anxiety associated with writing situations.
Glossary - 227
Glossary - 228
I ndex
Ability, 73, 84, 85
Abstract Conceptualization, 44
Academic Achievement, 4, 82
Academic Needs, 3, 45
Accommodator, 44
Action Verb, 22, 23
Active Experimentation, 44
Active/Constructive Behaviors, 127
Active/ Destructive Behaviors, 128
ADDIE Model, 3, 12, 13, 14, 15
Affective Learning, 6, 44, 45, 229
Affective Learning Levels, 6
Affective Orientation, 46
Alessi, J r., S. J ., 27
Allen, M., 71, 186
American Society for Training and
Development, 10
Ames, C, 110, 111
Ames, R., 110, 111
Analysis, 5, 12
Andersen, J ., 39
Animated Communicator Style, 173
Appropriate Student Behaviors, 140
Assessment, 4, 5, 44, 41, 53, 92, 94, 100
Assimilator, 44, 229
Attentive Communicator Style, 174
Aural, 42, 233
Austin, N. A., 41
B
Baker, E.L., 121
Ball, O.E., 55
Bandura, A., 120
Barbazette, J., 40
Barbe, W.B., 52
Barker, L.L., 16, 27, 28, 111
Bassett, L., 71
Bauman, I ., 71
Baume, D., 53
Beane, J . A., 27
Beatty, M. J., 145, 206
Beebe, S. A., 7, 8, 9, 11, 232
Begley, S., 206
Behavioral Self, 80, 158, 229
Behavioral Symptoms of Teacher Burnout,
216
Bell, C. R., 223
Bellon, J. J., 143
Bernthal, P. R., 10, 11
Biech, E., 8, 12, 14, 16, 27, 28, 40
Blair-Larsen, S. M., 223
Bloch, A. M., 223
Bloom, A.D., 120
Bloom, B. S., 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 16, 27, 28,
40, 44, 58, 116, 117, 119, 120, 180
Bloom, B.S., 16, 27, 28, 40, 120
Blount, N.S., 40
Book, C.L., 40
Borg, W. R., 27
Bourhis, J ., 71
Bowers, J. W., 186
Brandenberg, D.C., 111
Branson, R. K., 12, 16
Braskamp, L.A., 111
Bridging, 4, 49, 50
Briggs, K.C., 54
Brophy, J., 71, 111
Brophy, J. E., 71
Bruno, A., 52
Bullying, 130, 135, 143, 144, 229
Burnout, 6, 213, 214, 217, 219, 221
Canfield, J., 90
Canter, L., 91, 143, 168, 223
Canter, M., 91, 143, 168, 223
Carbo, M., 52
Carnevale, A. P., 40
Categories of Student Behaviors, 5, 127,
128
Cavanaugh, D.P., 55
Cegala, D.J., 16, 27, 28, 111
Chall, J. S., 8, 11
Chance, P., 120
Chavez, L., 91
Check, J.F., 40
Chesbro, J. L., 58, 186
Chesebro, J . L., 186
Chestnut, D. E., 224
Choleric, 6, 190, 192, 198, 199, 200, 201,
203
Christophel, D.M., 40
Index - 229
Chronemics, 182, 229
Civikly, J. M., 186
Classroom Anxiety, 4, 65, 66, 67, 68
Classroom Management, 5, 137, 142
Cognitive Learning, 5, 229
Cognitive Learning Levels, 5
Collingwood, V., 40
Colteryahn, K., 10, 11
Communication Apprehension, 4, 17, 28,
40, 41, 42, 58, 59, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59,
91, 111, 143, 144, 145, 156, 168, 169,
186, 187, 223, 229
Communication Strategies, 3, 4, 68, 88
Communication Symptoms of Teacher
Burnout, 215
Communicator Style, 6, 170, 172
Competition, 5, 104
Comstock, J ., 186
Conceptual Level, 46
Conceptual Tempo, 46
Concrete Experience, 44
Conolly, J., 143
Content Expertise, 211
Contentious Communicator Style, 173
Converger, 44, 230
Cooley, C. H., 168
Cooperation, 5, 104, 106
Coopersmith, S., 91
Covington, M., 91, 111
Cox, J. L., 12, 16
Craig, W., 143
Creative Commons, 2, 10
Crisis, 229, 230, 232
Crisis - Bolts from the Blue, 218
Crisis - Caretaker, 219, 229
Crisis - Developmental, 218, 230
Crisis - Structural, 106, 180, 219, 232
Criterion- Referenced Evaluation, 94, 95,
98, 101
Daly, J . A., 27, 39, 40, 41, 42, 59, 53, 60,
71, 112, 223
Davis, P., 10, 11, 40
Dembo, M., 58
Descriptive Feedback, 5, 97
Design, 3, 12, 14, 229
Development, 4, 5, 12, 14, 17, 54, 55,
77, 110, 159, 223
Diverger, 44, 230
Dobos, J. A., 145, 206
Doek, E. D., 143
Dolin, D. J., 155
Dominant Communicator Style, 172
Dornbusch, S.M., 111
Doyle, W., 155
Dramatic Communicator Style, 172
Dreikurs, R., 143
Duckworth, E., 58
Dunn, K., 58, 52, 53
Dunn, R., 58, 52, 53, 55
Dyke, R., 55
Edgerly, J.W., 111
Eisenberg, E. M., 186
Eison, J .A., Ill
Elkind, D., 121
Ellis, B. H., 224
Embedded Figures Task, 43
Englehart, M. D., 16, 27
Esteem Needs, 230
Evaluation, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 44,
50, 63, 64, 65, 94, 211, 230
Evaluation Apprehension, 4, 63, 64, 65,
230
Evaluative Feedback, 5, 94
Everle, B.M., 55
Evertson, C. M., 71
Extinction, 138, 139
Eye Contact, 182
Eysenck, H. J., 206
Eysenck, M. W., 206
Fairbairn, D.M., 40
Feedback Loop, 11
Ferrarra, F., 27
Field Dependent, 43
Field Independent, 44
Flanders, N. A., 71
Fleming, N., 42, 53, 206, 233
Formative Feedback, 92, 230
Friedrich, G. W., 27, 39, 40, 41, 42, 59,
53, 112, 223
Friendly Communicator Style, 175
Friere, P., 121
Frymier, A., 7, 11, 58, 183, 187
Fundamental Interpersonal Relations
Orientation, 50
Furman, J . P., 12, 16
Furst, E. J., 5, 16, 27
Index - 230
Gainer, L. J., 40
Gall, J. P., 27
Gall, M. D., 27
Galvin, K. M., 223
Ginott, H., 91
Glasser, W., 58
Golden, F., 206
Golembiewski, R. T., 223
Gooding, C, 42
Gorham, J ., 1, 2, 7, 27, 40, 42, 61, 53,
145, 180, 187
Gregor Mendel, 190
Gronlund, N., Ill
Grunwald, B., 143
Guskey, T., 121
H
Halzer, R. J., 143
Handler, J. R., 143
Hannum, W. H., 12, 16
Haptics, 181, 230
Hays, E. R., 155
Heisel, A. D., 145, 206
HerberJ. N., 58
Herber, H. L., 58
Hierarchy of Needs, 43, 54
High Achievers, 84
Hill, K., 71
Hill, W. H., 5, 16, 27, 71, 120, 228
Hirsch, E.D., 121
Hodell, C, 8, 12, 16, 27
Holmes, J., 40
Holmes, R., 59
Hoover, J. H., 143
Horn, E., 59
Horn, R.E., 42
Houser, M. L., 58
Hughes, D.C., 40
Humor Assessment, 183, 184, 185, 188
Hunt, D.E., 53, 54
Hurt, H. T., 16, 71, 143, 155
Hypocrites, 189, 190
Identity Self, 81, 158, 230
Immediacy, 180, 181, 186, 230
Implementation, 12, 15
Impression Leaving Communicator Style,
173
Inappropriate Student Behavior, 141
Infante, D. A., 143
Information Processing, 42
Instructional Communication, 1, 4
Instructional Context, 3, 9
Instructional Needs, 51
Instructional Objectives, 3, 10, 230
Instructional Procedures, 10, 11
Instructional Strategy, 3, 8
Interpersonal Needs, 3, 48
Ivey, M. J., 155
J
Jessie, K., 52
Johnson, D.W., 111
Johnson, R.T., 111
Jones, L. S., 58
Jones, V. F., 58
Judging Self, 81, 158, 230
Kagan, J ., 54
Karp, S.A., 55
Kazanas, H. C, 7, 17, 28
Kearney, P., 143, 144, 145, 155
Keefe, J.W., 54
Kelley, D.H., 40
Kelly, B.W., 40
Keltikangas-Jarvinen, L., 144
Kibler Model of Instruction, 3, 1, 9, 10,
12, 16, 27, 28, 111
Kibler, R.J., 16, 28, 111
Kinesics, 182, 230
Kinetic, 42, 233
King, F. J., 12, 16
Klausmeier, H.J ., 40
Knox, A. B., 41
Kohn, A., Ill
Kolb, D., 44, 45, 54
Kowalski, P., 156
Krathwohl, D. R., 5, 6, 7, 8, 16, 27, 28,
44, 58
Laing, R. D., 168
Lawson, K., 28
Learning Management, 211
I ndex - 231
Learning Preference, 231
Learning Style, 4, 61, 41, 44, 45, 48, 231
Learning Style Inventory, 44, 48
Learning Theory, 231
Lemonick, M. D., 206
Leonard, G., 58
Lick, D. W., 223
Littauer, F. L., 206
Littauer, M., 206
Lyies, J. S., 224
M
Mager, R.F., 28, 111
Martin, M. M., 59
Masia, B.B., 16, 28, 44, 58
Maslow, A. H., 43, 54, 55, 59, 232
Mastery Learning, 5, 115, 231
Matching, 4, 49
McAliley, C, 42
McCarthy, W., 54
McCaulley, M.H., 54
McCroskey, J . C, 7, 8, 9, 11, 16, 17, 28,
30, 41, 42, 44, 51, 56, 58, 59, 60, 57,
58, 59, 70, 71, 72, 74, 91, 112, 121,
123, 127, 143, 144, 145, 149, 155,
156, 168, 169, 180, 181, 186, 187,
188, 190, 206, 223, 224
McCroskey, L. L., 11, 71, 91
McFarlane, E., 41
McGhee, P. E., 186
McPherson, M. B., 143, 155
Measurement, 93, 111
Mehrabian, A., 186
Meisgeier, C, 54
Meisgeier, E., 54
Melan, E., 144
Melancholy, 6, 190, 192, 195, 196, 197,
198, 199, 201, 203, 205
Meltzer, A. S., 40
Menesini, E., 144
Mentoring, 6, 221, 223
Miles, D.T., 16, 28, 111
Miller, K. I., 224
Miller, M. D., 71
Mills, C, 53
Milone, M.N., 52
Milton, O., Ill
Moderate to Good Achievers, 84
Modified Mastery Learning, 5, 118, 231
Morch, H., 224
Mottet, T. P., 7, 8, 9, 11, 59, 143, 155,
186, 232
Munzenrider, R. F., 223
Murphy, E., 54
Myers, I.B., 54
Myers, S. A., 59
N
Napell, S.M., 41
Nash, J., 207
Natriello, G., Ill
Naughton, J., 10, 11
Negative reinforcement, 138
Nicholls, J ., 55
Niebrand, C, 59
Nonachievers, 84
Norm- Referenced Evaluation, 94, 95, 98,
101
Norton, R., 170, 171, 172, 173, 175, 176,
178, 187, 224
Nussbaum, J ., 39
Nyquist, J.D., 41
Oliver, J., 54
Oliver, R., 143
Oltman, P.K., 55
Omelich, C, 111
Open Communicator Style, 174
Orecklin, M., 144
Organizational Symptoms of Teacher
Burnout, 216
Ory, J.C, 111
Overpersonal, 231
Owens, R. E., 144
Owleus, D., 144
Pakaslahti, L., 144
Passive/Constructive Behaviors, 128
Passive/ Destructive Behaviors, 128
Pearson, J .C, 41
Pepler, D., 143
Pepper, F. C, 143
Perceptual Modality, 41
Peretti, F., 145
Perrin, J ., 55
Personal Role Models, 212
Personality Blends, 6, 203
Personality Plus, 190, 205
Personality Type Indicators, 47
I ndex - 232
Peters, R. J., 41
Phlegmatic, 6, 190, 192, 201, 202, 203
Physical Aggression, 131, 132
Physical Aggression - Control/Task, 132
Physical Aggression - Object Violence, 132
Physical Aggression - Physical
Confrontation, 132, 133
Physical Appearance, 182
Physiological Needs, 232
Physiological Symptoms of Teacher
Burnout, 215
Piaget, J., 144
Pignatti, B., 144
Piskurich, G., 8, 12, 16, 27, 40
Pittman, F., 224
Plax, T. G., 143, 144, 145, 155
Poker Chip Theory of Learning, 4, 87
Pollack, W., 145
Pollio, H.R., 111
Popham, W.J., 121
PRCA-24, 58, 59
Preassessment, 10, 92
Precise Communicator Style, 175
Price, G.E., 53, 55
Providing Socialization, 212
Proxemics, 181, 232
Psychomotor Learning, 7
Psychomotor Learning Levels, 7
Punishment, 139, 141, 142
Punishment I, 139
Punishment 1 1, 139
Punyanunt, N. M., 183, 187
Purkey, W. W., 91
Raskin, E., 55
Rayner, G. T., 12, 16
Reading, 16, 40, 58, 42, 53, 55, 71, 143,
155, 233
Receiver Apprehension, 4, 60, 232
Reflected Appraisal, 159
Relaxed Communicator Style, 174
Reynolds, C.R., 55
Rhetorical and Relational Perspectives, 7
Richmond, V. P., 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 11, 17, 41,
42, 59, 60, 57, 58, 71, 72, 91, 112,
121, 127, 143, 144, 145, 146, 155,
169, 180, 181, 183, 184, 186, 187,
188, 224
Riegel, T.R., 55
Roach, K. D., 9, 11, 146, 155
Roasrio, M., 224
Roberts, A.R., 224
Rocca, K. A., 59
Rogers, C, 121
Rosenfeld, L. B., 168
Rothwell, W. J ., 10, 11, 7, 17, 28
Rowe, M., 42
Rowell, E., 186
Rubin, R.B., 112
Rudd, J. E., 145, 206
Safety Needs, 232
Sanguine, 6, 190, 192, 193, 194, 195,
197, 198, 201, 203, 205
Saywell, J., 41
Schutz, W., 59, 169
Scott, M. D., 16, 58, 71, 72, 143, 155
Scott, R.L., 42
Seller, W.J., 42
Self, L., 53
Self-Actualization Need, 232
Shaping, 138, 232
Shinn, M., 224
Shor, I., 121
Silvernail, D. L., 91
Simon, M., 91
Simon, S. B., 169
Smith, E., 42
Smith, V. R., 144
Social Comparison, 161, 232
Sorensen, G., 144
Spielberger, C. D., 72
Stiff, J. B., 224
Stipek, D., 59, 72, 112, 156
Stipek, D. J., 59, 72, 112
Stock, G., 42
Student Affect, 3, 44
Student Misbehavior, 5, 232
Student Self-Concept, 4, 74, 77, 80, 84,
85, 88
Style-Flexing, 4, 49, 50
Summative Feedback, 92, 232
Swassing, R.H., 52
Swensen, C. H., 169
Swift, J., 42
Symptoms of Teacher Burnout, 6, 214
Talley, M., 187
Tardash, A., 143
I ndex - 233
Teacher Apprehension, 60, 61, 62, 232
Teacher as a Coordinator and Innovator,
38
Teacher as a JVlanager, 36
Teacher as a JVloderator, 32
Teacher as a Speal<er, 30
Teacher as a Trainer, 35
Teacher Clarity, 178, 233
Teacher Misbehavior - Incompetence, 150,
233
Teacher Misbehavior - Indolence, 152,
233
Teacher Misbehavior - Offensiveness, 151,
233
Teacher Misbehaviors, 5, 150
Teacher Self-Concept, 5, 158, 159, 166
Telementoring, 222, 223
Temperament, 6, 47, 191, 194, 202, 233
Temperament Testing Scale, 191, 194,
202
Terwilliger, J .S., 112
Toepfer, J r., C. F., 27
Torrance, E.P., 55
Towne, N., 168
Tyler, R.W., 28
U
Underachievers, 84
Underpersonal, 233
Urbanska, W., 91
Valencic, K. M., 145, 206
Vangelisti, A. L., 27, 39, 40, 41, 42, 59,
53, 112, 223
VARK, 42, 233
Verbal Aggression, 143
Victims, 133, 135, 136
Visual, 42, 233
Vocalics, 181, 233
Vulture Statements, 163, 169, 233
W
Walker, O.M., 42
Wanzer, M. B., 156, 186, 187
Watson, K.W., 16, 28, 111
Watson, R., 12, 16, 17, 28, 111
Weaver, R.L., 42
Wellins, R., 10, 11
Wells, H. C, 90
Wheeless, L. R., 72
Wigley, C. J., 143
Winters, R., 144
Witkin, H.A., 55
Wlodkowski, R., 60
workplace learning and performance, 9,
10, 11, 8
Wrench, J . S., 1, 2, 7, 8, 11, 41, 42, 60,
72, 91, 131, 132, 183, 184, 188, 228
Writing Apprehension, 4, 233
Wulff, D.H., 41
Zenharusern, R., 55
Zillmann, D., 183, 187
Ziv, A., 183, 188
Zook, E. G., 224
Zuckerman, D.W., 42
Index - 234
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