ERIC Number: ED521855
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 109
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: ISBN-978-1-1242-5619-1
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
The Influence Tactic Preferred by Teaching Faculty: An Exploratory Case Study
Rogers-Backus, Bonnie L.
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, Capella University
This quantitative study was developed to determine the influence tactic used most often by teachers in a small college classroom. It was hypothesized that the rational persuasion tactic, which is defined as "using logical arguments and factual evidence to persuade the target". (Fu & Yukl, 2000, p. 252) would be the most commonly employed tactic by the 30 adult education teachers that participated in the study. It was additionally hypothesized that rational persuasion would have a more favorable perception of the teaching faculty compared to other leadership influence styles. From data acquired from the Yukl Self-Assessment Influence Tactics Survey (the primary instrument for this study), a supplemental hypothesis emerged that the demographic variable of years of experience would also influence the perception of rational persuasion as a favorable option. The first hypothesis was supported by the evidence; however, no conclusive evidence was found to support the second hypothesis or the supplemental hypothesis. The results of the data analysis indicated that a significantly high prevalence of teachers using rational persuasion as their influence style existed, thus confirming Hypothesis 1. Hypothesis 2 was neither directly confirmed nor refuted. It was determined that the high prevalence of teachers using rational persuasion to influence students is most likely a result of the integral use of logic and rational thinking as a natural part of the teaching and learning process. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Evidence, Small Colleges, Incidence, Data Analysis, Teaching Methods, Adult Education, Classroom Techniques, Statistical Analysis, Hypothesis Testing, Thinking Skills, College Faculty, Influences, Persuasive Discourse
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A