The role of student predispositions on student expectations for instructor communication behavior

Abstract

Both teachers and students affect the nature of classroom communication. The present study focuses on the relationship of three student predispostions to their expectations for instructor communication behavior. Students’ communication apprehension, grade and learning orientation, and humor orientation were examined in relation to students’ expectations for teachers use of verbal and nonverbal immediacy behaviors, clarity behaviors, and humor behaviors. Student CA was related to their expectations for several teacher communication behaviors, especially those placing communication demands on students. Student learning/grade orientation was related to expectations for instructor communication behavior particularly in regards to clarity. Student humor orientation was minimally related to expectations for teacher humor use.

Keywords:

• communication apprehension
• learning orientation
• grade orientation
• humor orientation
• immediacy
• clarity
• expectations