Abstract:

The aim of this study is to determine the mediating role of teachers’ critical thinking dispositions in the relationship between their organisational power distance perceptions and autonomy behaviors. The sample of the research consists of 322 teachers working in primary, secondary, and high schools in Menteşe district of Muğla province. Organizational Power Distance Scale, UF/EMI Critical Thinking Disposition Scale, and Teacher Autonomy Scale were used as data collection instruments. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficients were used in the analysis of the data. The mediating effect of teachers’ critical thinking dispositions in the relationship between their organisational power distance perceptions and autonomy behaviors was tested with structural equation modeling. According to the research findings, teachers have the perception of acceptance of power the most and justification of power the least in terms of the dimensions of organisational power distance. Teachers' critical thinking dispositions and their autonomy behaviors are at high levels. There are low level, negative and statistically significant relationships between teachers' autonomy behaviors and their instrumental use of power, justification of power, and acquiescence of power. There are low level, negative, and statistically significant relationships between critical thinking disposition and acceptance of power, instrumental use of power, and acquiscence of power. In addition, there is a moderate level, negative, and statistically significant relationship between critical thinking disposition and justification of power, and a moderate level, positive, and statistically significant relationship between critical thinking disposition and teachers' autonomy behaviors. It has been revealed that the critical thinking disposition has a full mediator role in the relationship between teacher autonomy and the dimensions of organisational power distance which are justification of power and acquiescence of power.

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