The Relationship Between Instructor Misbehaviors and Student Antisocial Behavioral Alteration Techniques: The Roles of Instructor Attractiveness, Humor, and Relational Closeness

Abstract

Using rhetorical/relational goal theory as a guiding frame, we examined relationships between instructor misbehaviors (i.e., indolence, incompetence, and offensiveness) and the likelihood of students communicating antisocial behavioral alteration techniques (BATs). More specifically, the study focused on whether students' perceptions of instructor interpersonal attractiveness (i.e., social, task, and/or physical), humor orientation, and relational closeness mediated the relationship between instructor misbehaviors and students' communication of antisocial BATs. The results from 258 university student participants supported predictions overall, with moderate effect sizes. Perceived humor orientation, interpersonal attractiveness, and relational closeness each predicted reduced antisocial BATs, whereas instructor misbehaviors were associated with an increased likelihood of communicating antisocial BATs. Although interpersonal attraction, humor orientation, and relational closeness predicted a reduction in the use of student antisocial BATs, they did not mediate the relationship between instructor misbehaviors and antisocial BATs use.

Keywords:

• Behavioral Alteration Techniques
• Instructor Misbehaviors
• Interpersonal Perceptions
• Humor Orientation
• Attraction

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Christopher J. Claus

Christopher J. Claus (M.A., University of the Pacific, 2007) is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University

Melanie Booth-Butterfield

Melanie Booth-Butterfield (Ph.D., University of Missouri-Columbia, 1985) is a Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University

Rebecca M. Chory

Rebecca M. Chory (Ph.D., Michigan State University, 2000) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University