Teacher Student Relations -- by Alexander Daley

The easiest way to understand an efficient relationship between a consumer and a seller; is to compare that relationship to a student and his or her teacher. Because titles attached to names influence the how we look at one another. In college, students are predominately taught by professors who have achieved the level of Ph.D. in their particular field. We as college students listen to what they have to say and immediately file it in our brains under the heading of: COMPLETE TRUTH. Why do we do this? Because they are "doctors", what they say has to be true, right? Well…maybe. As Stone states, "Any suppliers who sell a combination of services and advice - directly shape the preferences of their consumers." Then again, why listen to Stone? Because she was able to get her words published in a book? For now, we'll proceed with that conclusion.

A medical school friend of mine once asked me this question: "Alexander, what are the similarities and differences between a Ph.D., an M.D., and an R.D.?" When I could not answer he said, "M.D. and R.D. are exactly the same thing, because Medical Doctors are actually Real Doctors. A Ph.D. is not." I told this joke to my grandmother who just recently got her Ph.D., and she did not speak to me for a week. She was insulted for two reasons: First, I minimized the effort she spent on becoming a professor. Second, I undermined the authority of her title. Although I felt bad and eventually apologized, I still agree with my friend. Professors are not "doctors". They cannot prescribe medication or offer medical advice about the human body. They are; however, highly decorated with the title, because of their level of education in their field of study. Needless to say, I no longer tell this joke around the CLU campus, in fear for my grades. Which leads to the question, what type of relationship is best to have with a professor if you are a student?

You cannot have a relationship with a teacher geared toward mutual gain. What you have to say and offer, they have probably heard from countless other students or have studied for themselves first hand. Students may not have anything original to offer, but professors do (or so we are forced to believe). Going back to what I asked before, why do we file what they say under: COMPLETE TRUTH? I should follow this question with: Do you really have a choice? The relationship is one based upon the hierarchy of authority. The relationship is more based on fear of failure than anything else. There exists a subconscious cause and effect fear that usually sounds like, "If I don't listen to them, then I will probably fail the class." Stone also says that there is a measure of pleasure that we derive from watching others in a state of discomfort. Questions and challenges put people in a state of discomfort. Professors asked questions and face us with challenges. But when we answer a question correctly or overcome a challenge, we (as consumers) feel better.

This argument could go on for pages and pages. The bottom line is that both consumers and sellers have to follow what John Nash defined as: Game Theory; in order to have society function efficiently. Doing what is best for oneself, while doing what is best for the collective (or relationship). For whatever their reason (and there are several), students must listen to their teachers to do what is best for themselves and TRUST that what they are being taught is the truth. Likewise, teachers must teach in a way that is best for their students collectively. No doubt, we want to defy authority. We sing about it, write books on it, and sometimes we practice defiance. However, we have to put down the torches and pitchforks, push certain urges aside, and accurately define a relationship. Otherwise efficiency would forfeit to chaos. Then again, why listen to me?