The study of anonymity and incivility in classroom: a case study in accounting faculties in Iran

This research examines the impact of anonymity on the level of incivility in the classroom. Recent reports in the popular press have spotlighted the need to study factors contributing to bad conduct. Most nations believe that incivility is a major social problem even affecting workplace. Although the literature suggests that incivility is directly and for sure related to anonymity, to date no quantitative statistical evidence has mentioned incivility in academic environment or explored methods of reducing such behavior. Our research investigates whether the level of classroom incivility is higher in settings where size of the classroom, college, or community provides a cloak of anonymity. Using data from a survey from accounting faculties, we found evidence that incivility occurs more frequently in large classes (more than 40 students) and that irresponsible student behaviors occur more often in large academic institutions (more than 10000 students) and in large metropolitan areas (more than 100000 people). These findings imply that classroom incivilities may be minimized through faculty use of immediacy behaviors as well as applying measures designed to increase community and accountability.