Teacher-student relationships and school adjustment: progress and remaining challenges
1Department of Educational Psychology, Texas A&M University, USA. jhughes@tamu.edu
Attachment & Human Development
|April 28, 2012
Summary
This research explores second-generation studies on teacher-student relationships, focusing on development and effective interventions. Findings suggest current knowledge can enhance teacher skills for better student social-emotional learning and outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Educational Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Classroom Management
Background:
- Teacher-student relationships are crucial for student learning and adjustment.
- The field is advancing to a second generation of research.
- Understanding relationship development and impact is key.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight contributions to second-generation research on teacher-student relationships.
- To advance understanding of relationship development and its effects.
- To evaluate interventions for enhancing teacher-student interactions.
Main Methods:
- Commentary synthesizing current research articles.
- Focus on theoretically-informed interventions.
- Analysis of knowledge application for practical use.
Main Results:
- Articles contribute to a deeper understanding of teacher-student relationship dynamics.
- Current knowledge is sufficient for practical application.
- Interventions can be informed by research to improve interactions.
Conclusions:
- Second-generation research provides a foundation for enhancing teacher-student relationships.
- Teachers can be better equipped to foster positive social-emotional learning environments.
- Improved relationships positively impact student learning and behavioral adjustment.
Related Concept Videos
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
Friendships and Close Friendships
Friendship formation is a dynamic process shaped by psychological, cultural, and social factors. Friendships play a crucial role in emotional well-being, social development, and personal identity from childhood to adulthood.Childhood and Early FriendshipsFriendships in childhood often arise due to shared environments, such as school or neighborhood interactions. At this stage, proximity and common interests serve as the primary basis for connection. As children grow, their friendships evolve...
Relationship Growth
Interpersonal relationships progress through stages, beginning with awareness and moving toward mutuality, where emotional connections deepen. While many relationships remain at moderate levels of mutuality, deeper connections form through self-disclosure, trust, and interdependence.Self-DisclosureSelf-disclosure involves revealing personal information, starting with surface-level details and gradually progressing to more intimate content. As trust grows, individuals feel more comfortable...
Relationship with Other Adult Family Members and Siblings
Other adult family members and siblings play a crucial role in shaping children’s social and emotional development. While parents or primary caregivers are often the central figures in early attachment and socialization, other adults in a child’s life, such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles, can significantly influence developmental outcomes. These influences depend on each adult’s personality and may help compensate when a primary caregiver is emotionally distant or inconsistent. For...
Factors Influencing Attraction I: Proximity
Proximity plays a fundamental role in shaping interpersonal attraction by increasing opportunities for interaction and fostering familiarity. Research consistently demonstrates that individuals are more likely to form social bonds with those who are physically closer to them, whether in residential settings, workplaces, or educational institutions. This effect is largely driven by the increased frequency of encounters, which facilitates the development of friendships and romantic...
Attachment Styles
Jeffrey Simpson's attachment theory suggests that early caregiver relationships shape lasting patterns of behavior and emotional regulation, known as attachment styles. These patterns are organized along two key dimensions: self-esteem and interpersonal trust. The intersection of these dimensions produces four primary attachment styles that typically persist throughout life and significantly influence how individuals form and maintain relationships.Secure Attachment StyleIndividuals with a...
