Around the third week of a college class, a teacher decides she's had enough, is tired of dealing with bureaucracies, and wants out. So one day, instead of coming to class, she flies to Tahiti and sells souvenirs on the beach. If this happened, the college would simply assign a substitute to finish the course. What does this tell you about the nature of the authority wielded by a professor?
A) It is a legal-rational authority.
B) It is ultimately backed by coercion.
C) It is rooted in tradition.
D) It is primarily supported by persuasion.
E) It is based on the personal qualities, or charisma, of the individual professor.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The scenario illustrates legal-rational authority, where the position of the professor is defined by a system of rules and laws (such as employment contracts and institutional policies). The college's ability to replace the professor with a substitute to continue the course demonstrates that the authority comes from the position rather than the individual's personal qualities or charisma.

Around the Third Week of a College Class, a Teacher