Driekurs summarises the root causes of disruptive classroom behaviour by grouping student motivations into 4 distinct areas. These include disrupting for attention seeking, desiring power or revenge and those motivated by feelings of inadequacy. Overall, this theory seems helpful in trying to deal with the disruptive behaviour of students by challenging them in positive ways (although some of the questions do not seem to be couched in positive terms). The style appears gentle and non-confrontational. The research would suggest that it is a well-used and valued model in many school environments as it looks into the reasons behind a student's behaviour and trying to address the causes rather than only the symptoms.
Rachel | (211.28.96.40) | Thursday, 23 May 2002 5:34:41 PM
Dreikurs goals of misbehaviour and how to respond seems like a good theory of why students behave the way that they do in class. I think responding to this misbehaviour is not an easy task and often the guidelines given for responding to each of the four categories may not be sufficient in everyday classroom practice.
yummy | (210.50.96.104) | Saturday, 25 May 2002 11:13:53 PM
where can i find dreikurs theory?
Rie | (203.109.250.95) | Sunday, 26 May 2002 2:12:08 PM
You can find Driekurs Theory on this site.
http://alex.edfac.usyd.edu.au/LocalResource/Schooldocs/respond.html
Although it doesnt mention "Driekurs Theory" apparently this is it.
I couldnt find it at the begining too,.. but I eventually figured my way out!!
Rie | (203.109.250.95) | Sunday, 26 May 2002 2:21:59 PM
Although Glasser's system is more based on punishment and the ways to discipline by puttng students on certain levels of misconduct, Driekurs way of discipline is to try to understand the student first.
He explains this by trying to classify misbehaviour patterns into 4 types (Attention seeking, Power, Revenge seeker, and Inadequacy), and then explains on how to deal with these four different types of misbehaviour.
I found it especially helpful in the way examples were given on "how to talk (what to say)" with the four different types of students.
I like Driekurs theory and the way it shows how to handle situations with the different type of students.
yummy | (210.50.102.45) | Sunday, 26 May 2002 9:24:35 PM
thanks Rie xox
Roberta Grant | (129.78.230.31) | Monday, 3 June 2002 11:09:16 AM
At last! I finally found a way to get on to this site without using the web address given (which has never worked for me... not even when the server has NOT been down!
Re Dr. Dreikurs. He has some great ideas, wonderfullt simplified and I like that he gives value to the teacher's intuition to follow the feeling the students behaviour evokes in them when diagnosing which behaviour strategy is being employed. However, he does not seem to make allowance for the teacher's possible projection of their own patterns. How does he know that the teacher is sufficiently self aware not to confuse their own limitations with that of the childs when assessing their reaction? Also, what if a child is not seeking attention when persisting for a satisfactory answer to a question but simply wanting to relieve their anxiety about a genuine confusion at the expense of drawing unwanted attention to them in a negative sense? A teacher who felt inadequate to answer this topic might project the inadequacey on to the child. Etc. etc..
Ruben | (24.205.152.186) | Monday, 14 April 2003 3:15:54 PM
A teacher performing research on Dreikus for a classroom management class. I am not a fan of Rudolf Dreikurs because my personality does not fit with his style to manage a classroom( A little to passive for me). I am becoming a Harry Wong fan. His approach to classroom management does have value and merit to all. Like any approach, one is inclined to adopt the approached advocated by a certain psychologist that mirrors one owns personality. As a teacher, my job is to define myself in terms of my classroom management approach and then find the theorist that advocates my beliefs and values in this area. This is what all teachers should do to develop a working management plan in their class.
Bibbo | (80.3.160.5) | Saturday, 31 January 2004 5:05:41 AM
Ruben, true but you do need to consider the motives underlying the child's behaviour