Seat Selection as a Function of Cultural and Individual Differences: Insights from Undergraduate Students in China

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20343/teachlearninqu.12.7

Keywords:

seat-selection, undergraduate students, China, higher education

Abstract

Students’ seating selection is a significant physical variable that has implications for both teachers and students. These seating preferences have been linked to students’ personalities, motivation, and academic performance. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the cultural influences on these preferences. In this exploratory qualitative study, we aim to investigate the cultural factors that influence the seating choices of undergraduate students. The study participants were recruited using purposive sampling. Face-to-face interviews and scenario simulation surveys were utilized to collect data, which was analyzed using thematic analysis. The study’s findings suggest that seating preferences are largely a function of individual differences and personal preferences, which often stem from personal and cultural factors. These factors are discussed under five primary themes: course academic value, gaining positive experiences, avoiding negative experiences, modesty and humility, and social belonging. These findings have implications for teaching and learning and for instructors, especially those from foreign cultures.

Read the corresponding ISSOTL blog post here.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Author Biographies

Lu Kehan, Wenzhou-Kean University

Lu Kehan (CHN), a senior psychology student at Wenzhou-Kean University, adeptly employs various research methods, encompassing both quantitative and qualitative approaches, to address hypotheses within psychological contexts.

Amrita Kaur, Wenzhou-Kean University

Amrita Kaur (CHN) is assistant professor of psychology at College of Liberal Arts, Wenzhou-Kean University. Her primary area of research concerns teaching, learning, and assessment in higher education, students as partners, learning motivation and engagement, and cross-cultural studies for learning.

Zhou Yu, Wenzhou-Kean University

Zhou Yu (USA) is a master’s student studying cognitive psychology at Vanderbilt University. She is interested in psycholinguistics, especially in conversation settings.

He Yuzhen, Wenzhou-Kean University

He Yuzhen (GBR) is a graduate of the women’s health program at University College London. Her work focuses on women’s physiopathology and women’s health legal disputes as well as women’s mental health assessment.

Huang Yuchong, Wenzhou-Kean University

Huang Yuchong (CHN) is a psychology graduate from Wenzhou-Kean University. She specializes in data processing as well as psychological experimental design.

Zhan Yinuo, Wenzhou-Kean University

Zhan Yinou (USA) is a TESOL student at the University of Pennsylvania. Her work focuses on fostering multilingual students’ awareness of English as a Lingua Franca.

Mohammad Noman, Wenzhou-Kean University

Mohammad Noman (CHN) is the EDD program coordinator for Doctor in Education (EdD) and a professor at Wenzhou-Kean University. His research interests include teaching and learning in schools and higher education, educational leadership, and student motivation.

References

Becker, Franklin D., Robert Sommer, Joan Bee, and Bart Oxley. 1973. “College Classroom Ecology.” Sociometry: 514–25. https://doi.org/10.2307/2786247. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2786247

Benedict, Mary Ellen, and John Hoag. 2004. “Seating Location in Large Lectures: Are Seating Preferences or Location Related to Course Performance?” The Journal of Economic Education 35 (3): 215–31. https://doi.org/10.3200/JECE.35.3.215-231. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3200/JECE.35.3.215-231

Brooks, Charles I., and James L. Rebeta. 1991. “College Classroom Ecology: The Relation of Sex of Student to Classroom Performance and Seating Preference.” Environment and Behavior 23 (3): 305–13. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916591233003. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916591233003

Brown, H. Douglas, and Heekyeong Lee. 2015. Teaching by Principles: An Interactive Approach to Language Pedagogy. 4th ed. White Plains, NY: Pearson Education.

Clarke, Victoria, and Virginia Braun. 2103. “Successful Qualitative Research: A Practical Guide for Beginners.” Successful Qualitative Research: 1–400.

Creswell, John W. 2013. “Steps in Conducting a Scholarly Mixed Methods Study.” DBER Speaker Series, 48.

Faur, Sharon, and Brett Laursen. 2022. “Classroom Seat Proximity Predicts Friendship Formation.” Frontiers in Psychology 13: 21–83. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.796002. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.796002

Felten, Peter, Julianne Bagg, Michael Bumbry, Jennifer Hill, Karen Hornsby, Maria Pratt, and Saranne Weller. 2013. “A Call for Expanding Inclusive Student Engagement in SoTL.” Teaching & Learning Inquiry 1 (2): 63–74. https://doi.org/10.20343/teachlearninqu.1.2.63. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2979/teachlearninqu.1.2.63

Fredrickson, Barbara L. 2004. “The Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions.” Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences 359 (1449): 1367–377. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2004.1512. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2004.1512

Hằng, Ngô Vũ Thu, Marijn Roland Meijer, Astrid M. W. Bulte, and Albert Pilot. 2015. “The Implementation of a Social Constructivist Approach in Primary Science Education in Confucian Heritage Culture: The Case of Vietnam.” Cultural Studies of Science Education 10: 665–93. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11422-014-9634-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11422-014-9634-8

Haghighi, Mohammad Moslemi, and Mahmud Bin Mohd Jusan. 2015. “The Impact of Classroom Settings on Students’ Seat-selection and Academic Performance.” Indoor and Built Environment 24 (2): 280–88. https://doi.org/10.1177/1420326X13509394. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1420326X13509394

Hillmann, Richard B., Charles I. Brooks, and Jean P. O’Brien. 1991. “Differences in Self-esteem of College Freshmen as a Function of Classroom Seating-row Preference.” The Psychological Record 41: 315–20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03395113

Hu, Jiangping, and Shou-Cheng Zhang. 2002. “Collective Excitations at the Boundary of a Four-dimensional Quantum Hall Droplet.” Physical Review B 66 (12): 125–301. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.66.125301. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.66.125301

Hwang, Alvin, Soon Ang, and Anne Marie Francesco. 2002. “The Silent Chinese: The Influence of Face and Kiasuism on Student Feedback-seeking Behaviors.” Journal of Management Education 26 (1): 70–98. https://doi.org/10.1177/105256290202600106. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/105256290202600106

Johnson, Scott A., and Jing Luo. 2012. “Engaging Chinese Students and Enhancing Leadership Development through Virtual Simulation: A Cross-cultural Perspective.” In Increasing Student Engagement and Retention Using Immersive Interfaces: Virtual Worlds, Gaming, and Simulation, 161–202. Emerald Group Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2044-9968(2012)000006C009. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/S2044-9968(2012)000006C009

Kaur, Amrita. 2020. “Students as Partners: Challenges and Opportunities in the Asian Context.” International Journal for Students as Partners 4 (2): 145–49. https://doi.org/10.15173/ijsap.v4i2.4366. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15173/ijsap.v4i2.4366

Kaur, Amrita, Rosna Awang Hashim, and Mohammad Noman. 2014. “Teacher Autonomy Support: Does it Hinder Motivation among Thai Students?” Malaysian Journal of Learning and Instruction 11: 171–89. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32890/mjli.11.2014.7670

Li, Jin. 2005. “Mind or Virtue: Western and Chinese Beliefs about Learning.” Current Directions in Psychological Science 14 (4): 190–94. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0963-7214.2005.00362.x

Li, Jin. 2016. “Humility in Learning: A Confucian Perspective.” Journal of Moral Education 45 (2): 147–65. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03057240.2016.1168736

Lin, Chin‐Yau Cindy, and Victoria R. Fu. 1990. “A Comparison of Child‐rearing Practices among Chinese, Immigrant Chinese, and Caucasian‐American Parents.” Child Development 61 (2): 429–33. https://doi.org/10.2307/1131104. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.1990.tb02789.x

Margerum-Leys, Jon, and Ronald W. Marx. 2002. “Teacher Knowledge of Educational Technology: A Case Study of Student/Mentor Teacher Pairs.” Journal of Educational Computing Research 26 (4): 427-62. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1092/KQCF-BLX2-TCHV-AGA4

Mercincavage, Janet E., and Charles I. Brooks. 1990. “Differences in Achievement Motivation of College Business Majors as a Function of Year in College and Classroom Seating Position.” Psychological Reports 66 (2): 632-34. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.1990.66.2.632

Noman, Mohammad, Amrita Kaur, Jahirul Mullick, and Liu Ran. 2023. “Navigating New Terrain: First-Year Chinese Students’ Transitionary Experiences In a Sino-US Joint Venture University In China.” International Journal of Chinese Education 12 (2). https://doi.org/10.1177/2212585X23117516. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/2212585X231175167

Pedersen, Darhl M., D. Michol Polson, and Wayne J. Hintze. 1987. “Perceived Personality Traits Associated with Classroom Seat Selection.” Perceptual and Motor Skills 64 (3): 1287–300. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2466/pms.1987.64.3c.1287

Phillipson, Shane N., editor. 2007. Learning Diversity in the Chinese Classroom: Contexts and Practice for Students with Special Needs. Vol 1. Hong Kong University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5790/hongkong/9789622098725.001.0001

Rabow, Jerome, Hee-Jin Choi, and Darcy Purdy. 1998. “The GPA Perspective: Influences, Significance, and Sacrifices of Students.” Youth & Society 29 (4): 451–70. https://doi.org/10.1177/0044118X98029004003. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0044118X98029004003

Ryan, Anne B. 2006. “Methodology: Analysing Qualitative Data and Writing Up Your Findings.” Researching and Writing Your Thesis: A Guide for Postgraduate Students: 92–108.

Schneider, Barbara, and Yongsook Lee. 1990. “A Model for Academic Success: The School and Home Environment of East Asian Students.” Anthropology & Education Quarterly 21 (4): 358–77. https://doi.org/10.1177/0038040711417009. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1525/aeq.1990.21.4.04x0596x

Sommer, Libby. 2001. “Towards the End.” Quadrant 45 (6): 68–9.

Sommer, Robert. 1959. “Studies in Personal Space.” Sociometry 22 (3): 247–60. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2785668

Spina, Roy, Li-Jun Ji, Tieyuan Guo, Ye Li, and Zhiyong Zhang. 2020. “Cultural Differences in the Tendency to Seek Practical Versus Theoretical Information.” Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology 51 (7–8): 636–53. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022120933691. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022120933691

Stevenson, Harold W., Shin-Ying Lee, Chuansheng Chen, James W. Stigler, Chen-Chin Hsu, Seiro Kitamura, and Giyoo Hatano. 1990. “Contexts of Achievement: A Study of American, Chinese, and Japanese Children.” Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development: 1–119. https://doi.org/10.2307/1166090. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1166090

Stires, Lloyd. 1980. “Classroom Seating Location, Student Grades, and Attitudes: Environment or Self-selection?” Environment and Behavior 12 (2): 241–54. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916580122008

Sun, Xin, Shaylene Nancekivell, Susan A. Gelman, and Priti Shah. 2021. “Growth Mindset and Academic Outcomes: A Comparison of US and Chinese Students.” Science of Learning 6 (1): 21. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-021-00100-z. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-021-00100-z

Totusek, Patsy F., and Ann Q. Staton-Spicer. 1982. “Classroom Seating Preference as a Function of Student Personality.” The Journal of Experimental Education 50 (3): 159–63. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00220973.1982.11011818

Wan, Ming. 2001. Human Rights in Chinese Foreign Relations: Defining and Defending National Interests. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.9783/9780812203059

Wannarka, Rachel, and Kathy Ruhl. 2008. “Seating Arrangements that Promote Positive Academic and Behavioural Outcomes: A Review of Empirical Research.” Support for Learning 23 (2): 89–93. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9604.2008.00375.x. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9604.2008.00375.x

Wulf, Kathleen M. 1976. “Relationship of Assigned Classroom Seating Area to Achievement Variables.”

Wu, Wenting, Amrita Kaur, Qi Liang, Kewei Xu, Sijia Mei, Minjie Ye, and Li Chen. 2023. “Development and Validation of the Parental Anxiety over a Child’s Education Scale: Evidence from China.” Journal of Child and Family Studies 32 (8): 2532–545. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-023-02626-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-023-02626-9

Ye, Lan, and Augustine Pang. 2011. “Examining the Chinese Approach to Crisis Management: Cover-ups, Saving Face, and Taking the ‘Upper Level Line.’” Journal of Marketing Channels 18 (4): 247–78. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1046669X.2011.613318

Zhang, Min. 2019. “‘If You Take Learning Seriously, I’ll Assign You to a Good Seat’: Moralized Seating Order and the Making of Educational Success in China’s Public Schools.” Ethnography and Education 14 (4): 428–447.” https://doi.org/10.1080/17457823.2018.1441733. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17457823.2018.1441733

A student learning place with two seating booths with work tables, and book shelves behind the booths.

Downloads

Published

2024-02-27

How to Cite

Kehan, Lu, Amrita Kaur, Zhou Yu, He Yuzhen, Huang Yuchong, Zhan Yinuo, and Mohammad Noman. 2024. “Seat Selection As a Function of Cultural and Individual Differences: Insights from Undergraduate Students in China”. Teaching and Learning Inquiry 12 (February):1–22. https://doi.org/10.20343/teachlearninqu.12.7.