Teacher Enthusiasm and Peer Enthusiasm as Mediators of College Students’ Interest in Their Coursework

• In Event: Poster Session 17
  In Poster Session: Social Influences on Learning

Abstract

Our purpose was to explore mediator effects of students’ perceptions of teacher and peer enthusiasm on the relation between their initial interest and their interest at semester’s end. Also, students’ motivation for affiliation with their teacher and with peers was added as a potential predictor of perceptions of teacher and peer enthusiasm. In total, 455 college students in 12 different classes participated. A path analysis indicated that the relationships between initial interest and final interest were mediated by perceptions of peer enthusiasm but not teacher enthusiasm. Perceptions of teacher enthusiasm and of peer enthusiasm had direct effects on final interest. Finally, students’ affiliative motivation with the teacher and peers had direct effects on their perceptions of teacher and peer enthusiasm.

Authors

• Taehee Kim, North Carolina A&T State University

• Diane L. Schallert, The University of Texas - Austin