Who Is Responsible for Students’ Challenging Behaviour? A Study of the Causal Attributions of Teachers to Challenging Behaviour in Primary Schools in West Bengal, India

Susmita Patnaik, Umesh Sharma and Pearl Subban
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Susmita Patnaik: Faculty of Education, Clayton Campus, Monash University, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
Umesh Sharma: Faculty of Education, Clayton Campus, Monash University, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
Pearl Subban: Faculty of Education, Clayton Campus, Monash University, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia

Disabilities, 2022, vol. 2, issue 1, 1-17

Abstract: The aim of the study was to understand the causal attributions of teachers to challenging behaviours in primary classrooms in West Bengal, India. Data from 21 teachers from government and private primary schools were collected using semistructured interviews. The study investigated the types of challenging behaviours as perceived by teachers, their causal attributions, and the strategies suggested by the teachers for managing them. The participants described challenging behaviour broadly, and it was divided into four categories: aggression, disruption, talking, and noncompliance. They reported the causes of challenging behaviours in five broad categories: home- and parent-related causes (family violence, busy parents); social causes (socioeconomic conditions); student-related causes (disabilities); school- and teacher-related causes (large class sizes); and government- and policy-related causes (banning corporal punishment). The teachers predominantly recommended employing proactive strategies, such as improving teaching strategies, collaborating with parents, and building relationships with students. A small group of teachers recommended using reactive (e.g., discipline and threats) strategies to manage challenging behaviours in their classrooms.

Keywords: challenging behaviour; teacher education; causal attribution; classroom management; disabilities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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