The Dangers of Being Magnetic: Strong Personalities in the Classroom.
Doering, Caitlin.
2015
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Abstract: Abstract This phenomenological analysis sought to investigate teachers' perceptions of and reactions to a group of children previously referred to in the literature as "bi-strategic controllers." Through the application of a strengths-based Positive Youth Development (PYD) approach, both the positive and negative attributes, thoughts, and behaviors of these children that prompted teacher ... read morereactions and interventions within a classroom setting were reported by six 1-5th grade Massachusetts teachers. Findings indicated that a new term that extended analysis beyond the domain of control was necessary. Thus, this study refers to Magnetic Children in an attempt to capture a fuller picture of how teachers perceived and reacted to the particular characteristics of these children. Findings indicated that teachers viewed magnetic children as possessing advanced social skills and both prosocial and coercive strategies for interacting with their peers. Teachers faced a conundrum in intervening in the sometimes challenging behavior of these children. Teachers utilized gender-differentiated strategies for managing children's behavior, teaching male students to be good leaders, and female students to be good group members.
Thesis (M.A.)--Tufts University, 2015.
Submitted to the Dept. of Child Study and Human Development.
Advisor: Marth Pott.
Committee: Lisa Kuh, and Cindy Ballenger.
Keyword: Education.read less - ID:
- 1831cw68z
- Component ID:
- tufts:21401
- To Cite:
- TARC Citation Guide EndNote
