The relationship of perceived teacher caring with student learning and teacher evaluation

Abstract

The research reported relates to the construct of “perceived caring” in the instructional context which is believed to be related to the classical construct of “good will” in Aristotelian rhetorical theory as well as to more contemporary social scientific views of “intent toward receiver” in conceptualizations of source credibility. Student perceptions of caring on the part of their teachers were found to be substantially associated with the students' evaluation of their teachers, their affective learning, and their perceptions of their cognitive learning. Research is called for which helps to identify the specific teacher behaviors which communicate caring to students.