| Abstract: | Two studies describe how students' reactions are affected by the physical attractiveness and nonverbal behavior of a teacher. In the first experiment, 9- and 13-year-old students watched a videotaped session given by a female teacher. A physical attractiveness stereotype was found in ratings of the teacher; a teacher who looked attractive was rated as more competent and better able to stimulate and motivate students that when she looked unattractive. The second experiment used fifth-grade children who participated individually in a lesson given by a female teacher. Close behaviors by a teacher (eye contact, leaning forward, smiling, and head nods) produced more positive ratings than distant behaviors by the same teacher (little eye contact, leaning away, frowning, and side to side head movements). No effects on academic performance measures were found in either study due to teacher characteristics. |
