Gender And Cross-Cultural Perceptions Of Professors Behaviors: A Comparison Of Chinese And American College Students

Abstract

A gender and nationality comparison study of Chinese students in China and American students in the U.S. (N = 405) was conducted to explore perceptions about potentially offensive behaviors of professors in the college classroom using the Student Perceptions of Professors Classroom Behaviors (SPPCB). Within-country and between-country comparisons were made, as well as within gender and between genders. Three main professor behavior domains were competence, interest and teacher immediacy, and offensiveness. American females judged behaviors significantly more offensive than did Chinese females, with American males and Chinese males in between. Chinese male and female students expect dignified and competent behavior from professors, while American male and female students expect respectfulness, opportunity, and an engaging environment. Several individual behaviors were significantly different between each of the paired groups.