Dahl, AnnElise; Rich, Emily; Marchant, Amy; Baird, Todd (Weber State University)
Faculty Advisor: Baird, Todd (College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Psychology Department)
The present research examines the effects of content relevance and appropriateness of instructor self-disclosure as well as the sex of the professor and the sex of the student on students' perceptions of instructor credibility (competence, goodwill, and trustworthiness). Participants, consisting of approximately 150 college students, filled out a survey which measured each of these variables. As data collection is in its preliminary stages, results are forthcoming. When gathered, the data are expected to be consistent with previous research in the field which show that appropriateness of instructor disclosure will be positively correlated with instructor credibility. Previous research has suggested that content relevance will be positively correlated with instructor credibility, that content relevance will be positively correlated with appropriateness of instructor disclosures, and that male students will perceive instructor disclosure to be more appropriate than female students. In addition, the authors expect male students to rate instructors as more credible than female students. Finally, students are expected to perceive female professors as more appropriate than male professors and to perceive female professors as more credible than male professors.