Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the nuances of instructor-student relationships with a nationally representative sample of students. Participants were randomly assigned to describe relationships with their best, worst, and/or last instructor and rate their satisfaction with each relationship, and the level of closeness with the instructor. Coding of student descriptions revealed 13 themes, organized into six pairs of constructive/destructive relationship anchors and one neutral category (Professional Relationship). Importantly, professional relationships were not as close as constructive relationships but were equally satisfying, indicating the closeness in instructor-student relationships has diminishing returns. Results are discussed in the context of instructional communication research and pedagogy.
DOI
10.31446/JCP.2024.1.05
Author ORCID Identifier
Jessalyn I. Vallade: 0000-0001-8972-4344
C. Kyle Rudick: 0000-0003-4352-3998
Recommended Citation
Vallade, J. I. & Rudick, C. K. (2024). You don’t have to be their best friend: Complicating the instructor-student relationship through a mixed-method typology. Journal of Communication Pedagogy, 8, 68-85. https://doi.org/10.31446/JCP.2024.1.05
Included in
Education Commons, Interpersonal and Small Group Communication Commons, Other Communication Commons
