The Concept of Authority in Students’ Perception Based on Own Study
Abstract
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to understand how contemporary students perceive the concept of authority and to identify those characteristics of authority that inspire them to take action.
THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: The research questions are: How do students define authority? Which individuals/groups are identified as authorities? What is the relationship between the characteristics of authority and its importance in inspiring action and the belief in the declining role of traditional authority? I used a diagnostic survey method. The research tool was a questionnaire completed online by students.
THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: The argument consists of an introduction, methodological assumptions of the research, presentation of the research results, and a summary.
RESEARCH RESULTS: It cannot be unequivocally stated that the traditional model of authority has lost its significance; only its monopoly on knowledge and opinion-forming has changed with the advent of new media. The need for authority still exists, as confirmed by the results of the study. New individuals/groups recognized as authorities have emerged, and thus the ranking of existing authorities has changed. Students did not reject authority as such, but redefined it. The respondents drew attention to the soft skills.
CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND APPLICABLE VALUE OF RESEARCH: For young people, who are just starting their career path, people acknowledged to be authorities play a significant role. Understanding how they perceive authority is important not only for parents, teachers, or lecturers, but also for their future employers. Traditional authorities figures at work, may no longer be effective in management. I hope that the presented results will become a starting point for further research and reflection on the changing role of authority in the assessment of representatives of various groups of Generation Z.
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