In other words, tenured professors often seem to look down upon other faculty who are lecturers, part-time instructors, TAs – many without a PhD, as well as other staff members of the department or university as though they amount to nothing. Have you seen this kind of pattern at the university where you work? What are some ways in which this situation can be changed?
When you encounter a professor who seems haughty,
START WITH A COMPLIMENT about the fine quality of that haughty person's work. Rhetorically, this keeps them off the defensive.
Then in a kind and diplomatic way, you might signal that some statement of behavior he/she didn't intend could be taken in an unfortunate way--and of course, you are sure this person didn't mean to do that and how much you value your good working relationship!
Sometimes if you have already tensed up, you might need to script your words. Even practice with a friend before speaking.
I would do research before making a general assertion. I just lost a long answer--sorry. But I had only a few "attitude" profs. in Ph.D. most were helpful and welcoming. Any occupation with ranks will have this issue. So look into the literature on stratified occupational theory or something like that.
When you encounter a professor who seems haughty,
START WITH A COMPLIMENT about the fine quality of that haughty person's work. Rhetorically, this keeps them off the defensive.
Then in a kind and diplomatic way, you might signal that some statement of behavior he/she didn't intend could be taken in an unfortunate way--and of course, you are sure this person didn't mean to do that and how much you value your good working relationship!
Sometimes if you have already tensed up, you might need to script your words. Even practice with a friend before speaking.
I would do research before making a general assertion. I just lost a long answer--sorry. But I had only a few "attitude" profs. in Ph.D. most were helpful and welcoming. Any occupation with ranks will have this issue. So look into the literature on stratified occupational theory or something like that.
Yes, there is a tendency. Unfortunately, some people forget where they came from...
Regards
It's all about personality. Same applies to "rich" people and politicians. Most "uncultured" individuals have some sort of attitude when they feel they've "arrived", and professors are not innocent of the trend. However, some of them are nice to a fault.
Yes, some of them do. A particular one I know will always remind every one around him that he is a Professor and anything he does or his opinion is the best and final. The fact remains that those ones that appear to have attitude are empty barrel or drum. They appear haughty to cover up their emptiness or ignorance.
In rhetoric, sometimes it is a choice between being "right" and imagining a group at their worst, or alternately working on a rhetorical strategy to solve the problem. While it feels good to go on Facebook and get many "likes" instant agreements with a polarized position; that is to say, binary logic (black/white or up/down), in the long run work towards finding a sliver of common ground that can be expanded can also hold promise.
These kinds of people available everywhere, then you need to teach them how they solve their problem and tell them who they are before got their work/administration experience? Fore me they are look like an empty barrel and do not like to communicate with them. TQ
It is not known to be so in the Scandinavian institutions that I have been part of, where academics including professors treat each other with respect and invariable as equals when working together in teams, projects and so on. I am aware of the attitude you refer to being more prevalent in a number of South Asian institutional settings, and perhaps also in some other cultures. Reform in this area is hard work and I suspect takes long time and effort, and calls for commitment on the part of the 'seniors' to be willing to let go!
Why not bring them down a peg? They are not the innovators, not the minds remembered by later generations? In the UK they usually come from privileged backgrounds, mistaking early privilege for ability. Dismiss them!
You can't really generalize. In my experience, yes, there are some arrogant and supercilious professors, just as there are some arrogant and supercilious grad students or TAs. But there are also many professors who are modest and self-effacing. And shyness is sometimes mistaken for arrogance.
University professor nurture academic as per the requirement/society needs. University professor not able to publish academic papers, not able to supervise projects and thesis, not able to attend seminar, conferences globally, not able to interact with scientific community through social networking may be poor in 'Attitute' and 'peer' or working system may be responsible for efficiency of the University faculty
Professors are gods in the field. Expect any attitude from gods especially as a cabal in the university. Try not to cross them, because if you do, that could be funny.
Segun as an undergraduate and Master's student I did cross them several times, and yes they became exceptionally difficult. Essentially sensitive egos.
You are not going to change anyone with an attitude.
Live with it.
Sadly, you occasionally get them here-those who believe knowledge is their preserve. Often they genuinely do have something to offer, but it tends to be narrow in scope, and exclusive. There is so much good stuff on here that they miss.
When on here the lecture room should be left behind, the university department absent, perceived importance shuttled off to dusty tomes. The number of original -thinking career academics can be counted on one hand. The career concerns knowledge preservation not originality.
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