From the Laboratory to the Classroom and Back: The Science of Interpersonal Relationships Informs Teaching

Social psychological research can be applied easily to teaching and related class-room experiences. Given that the interpersonal aspects of teaching styles are important in student perceptions and motivation, the applications of research on interpersonal relationships is especially useful. Previous research on attributional styles, ego depletion, and relationship styles is considered for its relevance to the faculty–student dynamic. Just as these theories go a long way to inform our teaching, they also inform the scholarship of teaching.