Teacher behaviour: a determinant of student self esteem

Area of Science:

• Educational Psychology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Teacher behavior significantly influences the classroom environment.
• Student self-esteem is a critical factor in academic engagement and success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between specific teacher behaviors and changes in student self-esteem.
• To assess the impact of observed teacher actions on self-perception in young learners.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a low-inference category system to observe and rate teacher behavior.
• Employed a repeated measures design with Coopersmith's self-esteem inventory (pre- and post-testing).
• Experimental manipulation of teacher behavior for a subset of participants.

Main Results:

• Statistical analysis (T-test) revealed significant differences in self-esteem scores.
• Identified a correlation between certain teacher behaviors and fluctuations in student self-esteem.
• Data suggests teacher actions can impact student self-perception.

Conclusions:

• Emphasizes the critical need for rigorous experimental design in small-scale educational studies.
• Highlights the sensitivity of student self-esteem to teacher behavior.
• Recommends careful consideration of methodological choices to ensure valid findings.