Differences in Perceptions of Incivility Among Disciplines in Higher Education

Abstract

Background Incivility occurs in various forms in higher education and negatively affects teaching and learning outcomes. It has not been determined if incivility is more prevalent in one discipline than another. Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare faculty and student perceptions of incivility across disciplines at a large public university. Methods In this descriptive comparative study, a convenience sample of 156 faculty and 421 students completed the Incivility in Higher Education–Revised survey electronically. Results The total sample was 577. Nursing reported the highest level of perceived incivility, with all other disciplines also reporting some level of incivility. Faculty perceived more incivility than students. Conclusions With a national awareness of incivility in nursing education, this study shows that incivility also exists in other disciplines and is a starting point for addressing its impact on higher education.

Faculty perceptions of student incivility in dental hygiene education

“…Although the literature provides awareness that student incivility exists, studies indicate it to be a greater problem within nursing education when compared to other academic programs. 8,14,18 This may be due in part to the significant body of literature on the subject of incivility within nursing or the lack of comparative studies involving other health professions. According to Clark and Alberts et al, the student behaviors that occurred most frequently were acting bored and being unprepared, and the behaviors considered most uncivil occurred least often.…”

“…Disharmony and conflict on university campuses have become familiar experiences across the United States, with higher education becoming fraught with an increasing amount of student disrespect toward instructors. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Past studies reported that discord between college students and faculty has significant physical and emotional effects on educators, in addition to widespread adverse impacts across the learning environment. [9][10][11] The ramifications of uncivil student encounters include substantial time demands, loss of productivity, and feelings of considerable physical and emotional stress, which can give rise to negative influences on educator confidence, career satisfaction, and motivation to continue teaching or an absence of career longevity.…”

“…10 How often faculty experience student incivility appears to be on the rise, with most educators tolerating minor uncivil behaviors on a routine basis. 1,4,8,[12][13][14] Incivility is considered an umbrella term within the educational literature to include a wide range of behaviors that can encompass bullying, microaggression, and violence. 15 Student incivility ranges from minor class disruptions, or rude, disrespectful actions to episodes of academic entitlement, inappropriate emotional outbursts, and physical or verbal hostility.…”

“…4,[10][11][12] Despite its inconsistency, most faculty report experiencing less aggressive, but still disturbing behaviors, such as inattentiveness, general disruption, class time domination, demanding or entitled attitudes, and disrespectful comments or gestures. 4,8,[10][11][12] According to the literature, it seems undergraduate students are the primary offenders and women, instructors of color, and foreign-born instructors report experiencing student incivility more frequently. 1,13,16 Research suggests a strong disparity exists between student and faculty perceptions of what is considered uncivil behavior and the level of severity.…”

“…1,13,16 Research suggests a strong disparity exists between student and faculty perceptions of what is considered uncivil behavior and the level of severity. 4,8,12,13 A small number of studies found age and gender have a positive association with these differences in faculty-student perceptions. 6,13,14,[16][17][18][19][20] Predictors and other contributory factors of student incivility indicate the influences of stress, social norms, and consumerism and narcissism traits significantly impact a student's tendency to engage in uncivil classroom behaviors.…”