Academic Entitlement and Incivility: Differences in Faculty and Students' Perceptions

Abstract

This study examined differences in faculty and students' perspectives regarding the frequency, acceptability, and attributions for classroom incivilities and academic entitlement (AE). Nine behaviors commonly defined as incivility were measured and include: 1) sleeping in class, 2) inappropriate use of technology, 3) talking to other students during lecture, 4) leaving lecture without permission, 5) answering the phone during lecture, 6) displaying rude behavior, 7) expressing boredom, 8) expressing anger, and 9) confrontations regarding grades during class. A qualitative analysis of incivility and academic entitlement (AE) was also conducted. Examinations of both faculty and student perceptions of incivility have been reported; however, including faculty and student measures of both incivility and AE behaviors is a new addition to the literature. The sample included 31 faculty and 82 students from a Southwestern research-1 university. Both faculty and students agreed that on some level all nine incivilities were unacceptable. However, students were significantly less likely than faculty to say that inappropriate use of technology, talking during lecture, and leaving class without permission were unacceptable student behaviors. Reasons explaining why faculty and students believe the incivilities and AE behavior occurred are outlined. Implications for college policy are also discussed in light of the significant faculty and student differences in perception regarding what constitutes appropriate classroom behavior.