In-Depth Exploration into Student-Professor Rapport

Location

CSU 255

Start Date

18-4-2016 11:05 AM

End Date

18-4-2016 12:05 PM

Student's Major

Psychology

Student's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Mentor's Name

Kristie Campana

Mentor's Department

Psychology

Mentor's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Description

The purpose of this research was to examine professor-student rapport, or the relationships that develop between professor and student. Previous research has used the Professor Student Rapport Scale (PSRS). Our goal in this research was to explore these dimensions in greater detail through a descriptive research approach. This research study will provide the scholarly community with additional information about the PSRS as well as provide college instructors with greater understanding of professor-student rapport, how it develops, and how in influences student outcomes and attitudes. We interviewed approximately 30 students about their experience of rapport in a class they enjoyed and a class that they did not enjoy. At this time, we have created several common dimensions of student experiences, and we are currently coding recordings to identify how prominent each theme is in the interviews. Our goal is to reach 90% agreement among our ratings. Initial findings suggest that teachers who treat students like individuals (e.g. learning names) and who are responsive (e.g. prompt emails) are more likely to develop good rapport. Rapport is also related to student engagement. Additionally, students rarely consider ways they could also help to build rapport. This research will help professors consider the importance and effect of building rapport. Preliminary results also suggest that students do not think about their own role in rapport building, and could benefit from taking initiative to build rapport with their professors.

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Apr 18th, 11:05 AM Apr 18th, 12:05 PM

In-Depth Exploration into Student-Professor Rapport

CSU 255

The purpose of this research was to examine professor-student rapport, or the relationships that develop between professor and student. Previous research has used the Professor Student Rapport Scale (PSRS). Our goal in this research was to explore these dimensions in greater detail through a descriptive research approach. This research study will provide the scholarly community with additional information about the PSRS as well as provide college instructors with greater understanding of professor-student rapport, how it develops, and how in influences student outcomes and attitudes. We interviewed approximately 30 students about their experience of rapport in a class they enjoyed and a class that they did not enjoy. At this time, we have created several common dimensions of student experiences, and we are currently coding recordings to identify how prominent each theme is in the interviews. Our goal is to reach 90% agreement among our ratings. Initial findings suggest that teachers who treat students like individuals (e.g. learning names) and who are responsive (e.g. prompt emails) are more likely to develop good rapport. Rapport is also related to student engagement. Additionally, students rarely consider ways they could also help to build rapport. This research will help professors consider the importance and effect of building rapport. Preliminary results also suggest that students do not think about their own role in rapport building, and could benefit from taking initiative to build rapport with their professors.

Recommended Citation

McCalla, Nena; Calyce O'Connor; and Ethan Wynia. "In-Depth Exploration into Student-Professor Rapport." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 18, 2016.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2016/oral-session-07/2