Review of Children's behavior and teachers' attitudes

Abstract

Reviews the book, Children's Behavior and Teachers' Attitudes by E. K. Wickman (see record 1929-00952-000 ). We have had many studies of the behavior of children. This study is one of the behavior of the teacher. The author points out that most misbehavior is of a social nature and therefore the setter of social standards is as much worthy of study as are the breakers of the standards. The study has for its purposes the discovery of the relative seriousness of different offenses in the minds of teachers, what behavior they consider as offensive, the comparison of these ratings of behavior with similar ratings made by mental hygienists, and other points which the review will not treat. A considerable number of teachers were studied and the author has discovered the attitudes of teachers in general toward misbehavior. Offenses most serious in the minds of teachers are those against property, sex, truth, etc. Next in order are those which militate against the successful performance of scholastic work. Least serious are the types representing withdrawal such as shyness, sensitiveness, etc. The author opens a possible method of attacking the peculiarities of the individual teacher's discipline by showing that occasional teachers seem to have but one type of offense in mind when asked to write down a list of misdemeanors. The obvious need for a reorganization in the mind of the teacher as to the seriousness of various offenses is shown. In addition the author points out the need for removing the teacher's own personality from the problem of discipline, and relates the teacher's attitude toward discipline to the general problem of mental hygiene. The study is not a highly statistical one and yet it is done with care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)