The attitudes of undergraduate students on “being a teacher”: A dimension of social representations

Abstract

This article aims to characterize the attitudes of undergraduate students as one of the dimensions of social representations of “being a teacher”. Attitudes are constructs that express a general direction with respect to an object and the affective and cognitive positioning of social actors in relation to that object. Attitudes can be seen as one of the constitutive dimensions of social representations and their study allows us to analyze the orientation for action of social actors, in this case the undergraduate students. The study was conducted with a sample of 580 subjects enrolled in undergraduate teacher training programs in the city of Santarém (Pará State). The data were gathered by using a questionnaire with closed questions and one open question. Analyses were performed by combining the statistical summary of closed questions with a content analysis of the open question. The results characterize teaching as an undervalued and under-recognized occupation, but which is socially useful and requires creativity and dedication. They also point to a mythical view of the teacher as a hero and a champion of education, which is deeply rooted in society. At the same time, results indicate the teacher’s social role as a political and social educator.

Keywords: undergraduate students, teacher training, attitude, social representation.