Students’ Predispositions and Orientations toward Communication and Perceptions of Instructor Reciprocity and Learning

Abstract

This study examined whether college students’ communication avoidance and socio-communicative orientation were related to perceptions of instructors’ immediacy, socio-communication style, satisfaction with instructors and learning. Students high in communication apprehension and/or less immediate perceived their instructors as less immediate and less assertive/responsive. Moreover, those who were more apprehensive and/or less immediate reported less satisfaction with instructors and felt that they learned less. Students’ assertiveness and responsiveness correlated positively with perceptions of instructors’ immediacy and assertiveness/responsiveness, affect for instructors, and classroom learning.

Keywords:

• Communication Apprehension
• Student and Instructor Immediacy
• Student Socio-Communicative Orientation
• Instructor Socio-Communicative Style
• Affective and Cognitive Learning

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jerry L. Allen

Jerry L. Allen (Ph.D., Southern Illinois University–Carbondale, 1978) is Professor and Chair in the Department of Communication and Marketing at the University of New Haven

Kathleen M. Long

Kathleen M. Long (Ph.D., University of Connecticut, 1994) is Professor and Chair in the Department of Communication, West Virginia Wesleyan College

Joan O'Mara

Joan O'Mara (Ph.D., University of Arizona, 1971) is Associate Professor of Speech and Drama at Hillyer College, University of Hartford

Ben B. Judd

Ben B. Judd (Ph.D., University of Texas–Arlington, 1978) is Professor in the Department of Communication and Marketing, University of New Haven