Perceptions of Teacher Characteristics and Student Judgments of Teacher Effectiveness

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between perceived teacher attractiveness, expertness, and trustworthiness and student judgment of teacher effectiveness. Three teachers who taught both an introductory and an advanced psychology course participated in the study. Students completed the Counselor Rating Form–Short version (CRF–S) and rated the teacher on effectiveness. Results indicated that each of the subscales of the CRF–S was positively related to perceived teacher effectiveness. The results also suggested that it may be useful to conceptualize teaching as a social influence process. Factors extensively researched by social and counseling psychologists may be important in understanding the classroom situation.

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