Differences between adolescent boys' and teachers' perceptions of the student-teacher relationship

Abstract

Relationships between teachers and students vary and the way these relationships are perceived by their members also differs. Seventy Australian adolescent boys described their relationship with a key teacher using the My English Class questionnaire. The teachers described the same relationships using the Teacher Student Relationship Inventory. Student-teacher relationships generally were seen positively. Cluster analysis identified two distinct profiles of student-teacher relationship for both student and teacher perceptions. In 44% of cases, perceptions of boys and teachers did not match. The boys considered positive feedback and a caring, helpful attitude towards themselves important elements of a strong relationship whereas teachers considered help-seeking important. © Australian Psychological Society Ltd 2012.