Low Power Distance

• Informal, casual, friendly (social congruence)

• More effective communication

• More cooperative learning style

• In general, tutors are still treated with respect

High Power Distance

• Formal, rigid

• Superior vs inferior

• Less effective communication since asking questions is seen as questioning authority



University of California, Davis

• Tutors and tutees

• Tutor needs to be proficient in the subject as well as managing groups and group dynamics

• Power Distance

• Cognitive Congruence

• Social Congruence 

Peer Assisted Learning Roles

Chan, N.N., Phan, C.W., Aniyah, S.N., & Dipolog-Ubanan, G.F. (2016). Peer assisted learning in higher education: Roles, perceptions and efficacy.

Peer assisted learning in higher education: Roles, perceptions and efficacy.

 Loda T, Erschens R, Loenneker H, Keifenheim KE, Nikendei C, Junne F, et al. (2019) Cognitive and social congruence in peer-assisted learning – A scoping review. PLoS ONE 14(9): e0222224. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0222224

Cognitive and Social Congruence in Peer-Assisted Learning – A Scoping Review

Power Distance

• Tutors and tutees share a similar "knowledge framework"

• Tutors can identify where their tutee is struggling and what topics their tutee will consider being easy and/or difficult

• Tutors use familiar language with tutees - informal communication is associated with efficient knowledge transfer

• All of this helps tutors explain difficult concepts to tutees

• Creates a less stressful, more relaxed and informal environment/climate

• Informal communication and a nonjudgmental learning climate are more associated with cognitive congruence than social congruence

Cognitive Congruence 

• Tutors and tutees share similar "social roles"

• Tutees feel more comfortable with tutors and ask more questions which leads to tutees participating more in class

• Tutors are more empathetic towards tutees because they understand/have been through what the tutee has been through

• Tutors can also relate to tutees' lives outside of academics like clubs, sports, etcetera

• Effectiveness of a tutor can be measured by social congruence alone

• "The social level seems to impact the content level of tutorials and seems to be crucial for the effectiveness of student tutor and tutorial "

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