Framing Student engagement through perceptions of justice: The role of trust in authorities in educational contexts

The chapter reviews research about engagement and trust in authorities in order to suggest potential determinants of a more inclusive and empowering educational system. Social psychology research provides evidence that people's engagement in groups is related more to their perception of authorities than to economic assurances. A great deal of empirical evidence has shown the significant role of trust in authorities, such as competence and benevolence, in building effective, productive and well-managed schools.