Teacher Self-Disclosure: Amount, Relevance, and Negativity

Abstract

This study focused on teacher self-disclosure in the classroom and the introduction of a measure that encompasses three dimensions of teacher self-disclosure: amount, relevance, and valence. Although other measures of self-disclosure exist, including a unidimensional scale for quantity of teacher self-disclosure, past research indicated that teacher self-disclosure entails more than just the amount. Specifically, we determined that relevance and valence are important dimensions of teacher self-disclosure. Additionally, the three dimensions of teacher self-disclosure related to course affect, affect for the instructor, student motivation, teacher clarity, and student interest. The Teacher Self-Disclosure Scale revealed a suitable level of reliability (α = .80 amount; α = .88 relevance; α = .84 negativity) and evidence of criterion validity.