Yes, there is a difference.  The words are similar, but they have different meaning.

Authoritarian means the teacher is the boss -- a dictator.  Do this, don't ask questions.  Follow my rules or you will get in big trouble.

Authoritative means that the teacher is an expert with extensive and dependable knowledge. 

Dear Litart,

I side with Marek. The authoritarian teacher imposes his ideals and concepts on students without giving in the room for any diversity. This stifles creativity and the promotion of the plurality of ideas and research that advances the frontiers of knowledge- the sure antidote to a brighter future for the global world. Teachers who are authoritarian must be coached and assisted to desist that style of tutoring.

On the other hand, an authoritative teacher is an exemplary instructor who is poised, focused and disciplined in the dispensation of his/her teaching and learning activities in the classroom. Though quite behaved in directing students towards the content of the lesson, s/he does not coerce students to follow one path of discovering knowledge. Such an instructor is flexible and offers the friendly environment where students can discover knowledge through self-discovery techniques. Yet, his or her discipline does not give room for students who misbehave, refuse to honor deadlines for assignments on baseless grounds or those who are truants. His or her firm principles, though flexible based on unique circumstances, assist in grooming capable youth for the world of work.

All the best in your research my brother.

Dear Litart,

Your ask if there is any difference or similarity between an authoritarian teacher and an authoritative teacher.

As I see it, it makes a big difference to be an authoritative teacher and an authoritarian teacher. Authoritarian teachers are teachers who teach their students ready made and established truths. So, students are there to follow uncritically what their teachers teach them. What counts, say, is the reason of power or force, not the force or power of reason. In contradistinction, authoritative teachers are there not to transmit ready made or established truths to their students, but to be mentors or organizers of learning experiences and situations such that  their students may reconstruct or reinvent all that is taught to them. So, authoritarian teachers are there to be followed and obeyed, whereas authoritative teachers are there to motivate students to look for the unknown and raise, say, "irritating" questions and doubts, that is, questions whose response leads us to know a bit better what is not yet well known. We could even say that authoritative teachers, who are demanding in cognitive terms but warm in terms of affect, are there to stimulate their students' intellectual curiosity. In contradistinction, authoritarian teachers, who are demanding in cognitive terms, but cold in terms of affect, are there to teach their students unquestionable truths.

Best regards, Orlando

The simple answer is that authoritarian is a manner or a style which imposes authority whereas authoritative is an internal quality so that the content contains authority or weight. An authoritative teacher would therefore suggest that his/her knowledge/expertise is of great value and has nothing to do with the way in which he/she imposes themselves on others. An authoritarian teacher might not have much knowledge at all but nonetheless imposes his/her style in a dictatorial manner. Therefore to sum up, one is about content and the other is about style. I hope this helps. Dave

The information provided here regarding the differences between authoritarian and authoritative teachers is very thorough. It was not stated though (and perhaps it doesn't need to be) that both styles are ways to control a classroom or instructional setting. Which a teacher uses depends on what outcome is desired. 

I would like to express my everlasting gratitude to those researchers who answered my question.

To all of you: Thank you ever so much.

Litart

What a wonderful question! Two similar words which represent two very different characteristics of a teacher. We might consider the relationship between the two and even add a third dimension of context.

V1 - Authoritative V2 - Authoritarian V3 - Context

We could consider by a contingency table.

Authoritative=YES + Authoritarian=YES

Authoritative=YES + Authoritarian=NO

Authoritative=NO + Authoritarian=NO

Authoritative=NO + Authoritarian=YES

A didactic and tightly controlled “transfer of knowledge” from expert to novice. The transfer process works well with willing or unwilling learners. The nature of the pedagogy is direct knowledge transmission. Very useful for learning clearly defined knowledge. No room for “discussion” or “uncertainty”. A one way process.

Demands a high level of pedagogic skill. This is an expert teacher. They can develop a critical perspective in learners. They tightly structure the learning without the learner being aware of it. They “teach” through dialogue. They ask more than they tell.

Chaos.

The learner is treated to rigid teaching. Little of value is delivered by rote. Learners gain no critical skills or knowledge. The “Learning arena” is about the exercise of power rather than learning and empowerment.

Of course each of the above cannot be offered as desirable or undesirable. “C +D” are probably of no use but we need to consider the different contexts in which the above may be deployed. Training a group of soldiers to automatically follow a procedure unquestioningly in a given situation may usefully deploy “a”. “B” may be used to develop critical thinkers.

Horses for courses….as we English say :-)

Most I think have covered the meanings and the significant differences.

Authoritarian = you will bend to my will!

Authoritative = how can we bend together?

The only thing is:- if someone, a teacher for example, is authoritative in their grasp of items of knowledge then their style could easily become authoritarian. So if their knowledge is good and they know it, it becomes easy to impose it on those around especially if they are viewed as less knowing. That might be something hard to avoid?

Dave

Authorian links with individual behavior and character but authority depends upon his capacity on subject . Capability on dealing issues in firm way

Authority relates to the Author and his/her effectiveness. You can speak with authority because you know but still not be authoritarian. The novelist is an author and therefore authoritative in his/her creation. Similarly for the artist or the musician-they are authors of their works. Authoritarian only becomes the problem when the authoritative of the author is imposed as superior onto someone else.

Germany might still have a problem with being authoritative in the world in its foreign policy BUT you can be authoritative without being authoritarian. It is possible as long as one has the qualities of self awareness to ensure that one does not slip into the other. Best Wishes. Dave

Without doubt, there is a significant difference in these two approaches to interaction with learners, whether they are children, adolescents, or adults.  Authoritarian models of interaction typically include high demand and low caring, while authoritative interaction employs high demand coupled with high caring (Dever &Karabenick, 2011). I believe there are a number of considerations in determining which of these approaches may be more effective, including the socio-cultural context and the personal experiences of each student.  

Where students have experienced trauma, an authoritarian approach may yield compliance, but learning would be blocked by the students' Affective Filter (Krashen, 1985).  On the other hand, an authoritarian approach, where boundaries are clear, respect is modeled, and students feel safe to take risks in their learning - that would be an effective learning environment.

My perspective is colored by my work in language acquisition, but I can't imagine that it would be any different when learning math, science, or social studies.  

Dear Arne Matthias Krüger,  David Evans, Joanie Monroy,

You have given me clear answers.

Thank you so much.

Litart

Dear Adrian Mee, Peter John Curtis, David Evans, vasudeva rao b.s,

Thank you ever so much for your answers.

Litart

It's been a pleasure Liart. kind regards. David

In my broad Teaching Styles Model, the authoritarian teacher is domineering and may use strong negative sanctions including physical and psychological punishment. The authoritative teacher had authority (legitimate power, in the Weberian sense) deriving from strong subject knowledge, and may or may not be authoritarian (see my book, The Progressive Education Fallacy, on this site).

I think there are some similarities but not in style of using negative sanctions and control of students. It is in the use of language. Each usually uses very clear, concise language with children so they know what they are supposed to do, but that is the extent of the similarity. How each type of classroom is structured and the role of the children in that class differs. The differences are not just about punishment. 

Dear Nora,

Thank you so much for giving an answer to the question. You are the first in stating one similarity.

Best regards,

Litart

Hi dear 

I agree with Joanie Monroy.  She summarizes the difference between the two terms beautifully. 

Liqaa 

Thank you Liqaa for taking part in this question.

Best,

Litart

Very good question and some wonderful answers.

An interesting question and answers as well. Joanie Monroy answer is quite sufficient.

Regards

The first needs knowledge in order  to implant the trust of the recipient

The second one because he owned knowledge, knowledge compensated him for being having authoritarianism.

The similarity and difference between them is the possession of knowledge

Dear Anirbid, Arwa and Salam,

I really appreciate your comments. With the information given here I will improve the way I teach.

Thank you ever so much to all.

Best of luck,

Litart

Dear Mohammad,

Thanks a lot.

Best,

Litart

Dear Cecilia Agudelo-Valderrama,

Though you responded to David Evans´response,  I appreciate your participation in this  Q and A section.

Thank you very much.

Best regards,

Litart

Thanks for the question and thoughtful contributions.

I would add that (sadly) it is relatively easy to be authoritarian - you have power - your students don't. You carry a big stick and students comply.

Being authoritative is much harder - you need to know what you are talking about and your power is different - drawing upon relationships, respect, knowing your students AND mastery of whatever the teaching matter is.

It may be easier to be an authoritarian teacher but it is ultimately far less satisfying than having students view you as (respectfully and humbly) authoritative.

Dear Peter Brett

Thank you so much for adding importance to the differences between an authoritarian and authoritative teacher.

My best regards,

Litart