This study investigated the relative associations of curiosity evoked by surprise and of the perceived value of information to the desire to know more about psychological research topics. Comparison of results to similar research with adolescents suggested that the importance of curiosity as a motivation to learn may decline in adulthood. (CT)

A review of research shows that while some studies support (1) the necessity of developing logical (operational) thought, (2) the maintenance of this cognitive level, and (3) the finality of the formal operational stage, the bulk of research challenges these three aspects of traditional Piagetian theory. (LRA)

A review is presented of major theories on the characteristics of adult cognition. The roles of social and cultural backgrounds, education, mental ability, and experience as they pertain to cognition are discussed. (JD)

Gibbons et al. (1980) reported 14 principles in "teaching for self-education." Four of these principles illustrate some of the challenges involved in applying the principles to classroom learning: (1) in self-education, the locus of control is in the self-educator, whereas, in formal education, the locus of control is in institutions, their…

Provides an interpretative review of the literature of conforming behavior with special attention to implications for adult education. Eight different research areas of conformity research are summarized, and five reasons for conformity and three different kinds of conforming behavior are identified and discussed. (SH)

This index joins two companion volumes of books and chapters devoted exclusively or primarily to the topic of self-directed learning. The book contains 141 abstracts of books, chapters, published articles and papers, and unpublished ERIC documents. Chapter 1 is an introduction. Chapter 2 provides an analysis of the 141 abstracts reported in…

States that the Adult Education Association of the USA (AEA/USA) is the appropriate central organizing institutional structure to provide for the development of adult and continuing education and describes a proposed AEA/USA learning center to facilitate research and arrange information referral in the field of adult and continuing education. (MF)

This guide is concerned with two equally complex subjects, aging and the ability of adults to learn. It is designed to help answer the question concerning adult learning ability and the corollary questions of whether there are better ways to teach adults, or what kind of teaching techniques are most successful with adults. The discussions…

Designed to consolidate information about adult educational activities in colonial America, the publication covers self-directed learning, public lectures, apprenticeships and evening schools, education of women and girls, and leisure education. Advertisements and announcements from colonial newspapers published from 1765-1776 constituted the…

This index joins two companion volumes of books and chapters devoted exclusively or primarily to the topic of self-directed learning. The book contains 242 abstracts of books, chapters, published articles and papers, and unpublished ERIC documents. Chapter 1 is an introduction. Chapter 2 provides an analysis of the 242 abstracts reported in…

These 23 papers provide as complete a picture as possible of the current efforts in self-directed learning application and research. The papers are: "Learning about Self-Directed Learning" (Long); "Philosophical, Psychological, and Practical Justifications for Studying Self-Direction in Learning" (Long); "In Search of…

These 16 papers provide as complete a picture as possible of the current efforts in self-directed learning (SDL) application and research. The papers are: "Challenging Some Myths about Self-Directed Learning Research" (Long); "Childhood Experiences as Origins of Self-Directed Learning Experiences" (Long, Stubblefield);…

These 17 papers attest to the deepening and broadening interest in self-directed learning as one solution to the lifelong learning needs of men and women in an increasingly dynamic society. The papers include the following: "Self-Directed Learning Knowledge: Some Issues" (Long); "Development of Self-Directed Learning Readiness: A…

The following papers are presented in this book: "Self-Directed Learning: Consensus and Conflict" (Long); "Challenges in the Study and Practice of Self-Directed Learning" (Long); "A Conceptual Model of Autodidactism" (Tremblay, Theil); "Functional and Dysfunctional Uses of Self-Directedness in Adult…

This paper identifies and describes specific applications of knowledge from other disciplines to adult education. It is observed that the concept of adult educators' borrowing from other fields has been widely discussed in both North and South America. Verner's criteria for selecting usable material are cited. The following four general topics of…