Module 1: WHO SAYS

Page 4

topic two: types of authority (continued)

to the teacher

Authority is often thought of merely in terms of teachers, parents, police etc. but there are many types of authority which make up the fabric of society. They derive from the following:

Expertise such as doctors or solicitors.

By appointment such as school principals etc.

In each of these cases the people have to earn the respect and trust of others but still have authority invested in them.

Consensus - agreement by the majority to obey rules for the mutual benefit of all concerned eg, in sports or the Highway Code.

Through the following activity the pupils will be led to explore:

• What decides and forms our attitudes? This is important as pupils may not always be aware how these are formed.

Some of this may be written work, but a discussion will probably yield the best results, if you are clear where it should lead. Pupils should be helped to form positive attitudes.

topic development

Ask the class to give examples of a) people they expect to obey them, e.g. younger brothers or sisters, and b) examples of authorities they voluntarily accept.

• referees or umpires in sport.
• doctors - because we need their help we usually accept the advice they give.
• conductor of band or orchestra if we play in one of these.

Have a general class discussion on what decides our attitude to authority:

• our experiences?
• our prejudices?
• what we hear other people say?
• what attitude we think we ought to have?

How do people earn our respect?

How can we gain others' respect?