Teacher Caring and Classroom Behavior: Relationships with Student Affect and Perceptions of Teacher Competence and Trustworthiness

TLDR

The study examined how teacher misbehaviors and caring influence students’ affect, evaluations, and perceptions of teacher competence and trustworthiness. Students read hypothetical teacher scenarios varying in appropriateness and caring, then reported on teacher competence, trustworthiness, and affect. Results showed that teacher caring and appropriate behavior significantly enhanced perceptions of competence and trustworthiness, and caring was positively linked to student affect, suggesting that maintaining appropriate behavior and caring preserves teacher credibility and classroom affect.

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of teacher misbehaviors and caring on students' affect, teacher evaluation, and teacher competence and trustworthiness. After reading hypothetical scenarios of teachers engaging in appropriate (or inappropriate) behaviors and communicating caring (or non-caring), students reported perceptions of teacher competence and trustworthiness and affect. Results of the analysis of variance revealed significant main effects for teacher caring and appropriateness on teacher competence and trustworthiness. Although there were interaction effects, the variance accounted for was minimal. Teacher caring was also positively related to students' affect toward the course and the teacher. This study demonstrates that teachers should maintain appropriate classroom behavior and communicate caring towards students to preserve their credibility and affect in the classroom.