Peer Relationships in Class: the Self-Determination Theory Approach to Promote Prosocial Behavior
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7346/sird-012023-p85Keywords:
Basic Psychological Needs, Prosocial Behavior, Peer Relationships, Self-determination Theory, Autonomy supportAbstract
Seguendo le linee teoriche della Self-Determination Theory (SDT), il presente contributo ha lo scopo di analizzare l’impatto del supporto all’autonomia da parte degli insegnanti sulla promozione del comportamento prosociale in classe, quando mediato dalla soddisfazione del bisogno di relazione. Nel contesto scolastico il bisogno di relazione di riferisce alla necessità degli studenti di sperimentare un senso di appartenenza scolastica, incluso un senso di connessione con insegnanti e compagni di classe. Gli studenti che godono di relazioni positive tra pari tendono ad essere più motivati e impegnati nei compiti scolastici e a mostrare maggiori comportamenti prosociali, soprattutto durante l’adolescenza. Secondo la SDT, la soddisfazione dei bisogni degli studenti, compreso il bisogno di relazione, dipende dal comportamento interpersonale che adottano gli insegnanti. Il supporto all’autonomia è il comportamento concettualmente più rilevante nella relazione insegnante-studente, che a sua volta è uno dei fattori essenziali per lo sviluppo del comportamento prosociale a scuola. Attraverso un modello di Path Analysis, i risultati mostrano che il comportamento prosociale è influenzato direttamente e in misura maggiore dalla soddisfazione del bisogno di relazione con i compagni di classe, confermando l’importanza delle relazioni tra pari. Tuttavia, la soddisfazione della relazione con gli insegnanti ha un ruolo di mediazione significativo sull’effetto indiretto del supporto all’autonomia da parte degli insegnanti sullo sviluppo di comportamenti prosociali. I risultati evidenziano la necessità di creare ambienti di apprendimento che possano favorire un clima supportivo all’autonomia, che sia in grado di far sentire gli studenti compresi e accettati, prima di tutto, dagli insegnanti.
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