Student identities predict classmate and instructor fear of negative evaluation among undergraduates in large-enrollment introductory biology courses.

ABSTRACT: Undergraduate biology students describe fear of negative evaluation (FNE), defined as a sense of dread associated with being unfavorably evaluated in a social situation, as negatively affecting their experiences in active learning courses. Yet, few studies have examined who is prone to experiencing FNE, the severity and duration of FNE, and whether the effects of FNE are experienced equally among undergraduates. To address these gaps, we surveyed 494 undergraduates enrolled in active learning introductory biology courses about their FNE as it relates to students in their courses (classmate FNE) and to their instructor (instructor FNE). Students reported higher instructor FNE than classmate FNE. Using linear regressions, we found that women and nonbinary students, persons excluded based on

SUBMITTER: Cooper KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12369367 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature