New understanding of the aging process and adult developmental psychology, particularly of feeling among older people of loss of control over their lives, suggests that higher education for older adults must go beyond simply providing mental activity to providing opportunities for renewed social relationships and accomplishment of substantial…

A reflective judgment model of adult intellectual development is proposed, for use by college faculty and staff in helping students question their assumptions about knowing and learning and in making more reflective judgments. The model is based on cognitive development theory and has specific implications for the college years. (MSE)

In establishing a framework for observing and interpreting the interplay among students accumulating knowledge, their intellectual growth, and their ability to express ideas in writing, it is useful to consider the major stage theories and analyze their place in student writing. In general, cognitive stage models describe logical and psychological…

The reflective judgment (RJ) model is described, along with research findings based on the model and contributions to understanding student intellectual development in higher education. The RJ model (Kitchener & King, 1981) describes a series of changes that occur in the ways adults/young adults understand the process of knowing, and…

Combining literature and human development is seen as an effective strategy for enhancing personal and professional growth of the judiciary. Three theoretical perspectives provide a framework for understanding experiences associated with development in middle and later adulthood: adults' varied learning styles, the life cycle and age-related…

Theories of life cycle phases, adult development, and adult motivation to learn provide a basis for planning and developing campus activities to attract the attention of this market. (MSE)

The issues surrounding faculty role and faculty development are addressed in the context of a nontraditional graduate program that maximizes opportunities for the use of experiential learning. Sponsored experiential learning provides one context through which adult developmental and intellectual goals may be simultaneously recognized and pursued.…

Current theories of intellectual development claim that such development proceeds through invariant sequences of increasingly more adequate cognitive structures. According to the two dominant theories on changes in intellectual functioning during adulthood, intellectual development is essentially accomplished by adolescence, although sharpening…

Connections between structural-developmental psychology and field experience education are addressed. In addition to summarizing principles of structural-developmental psychology and relevant research findings, a comprehensive view of individual development is related to the philosophical aims of higher education, and developmental and dualistic…

The recent phenomenon of the "returning adult" to colleges has raised concern regarding two implications: age decline in intellectual ability and loss due to lack of practice. Literature indicates slight impairment of the problem-solving function until the years of advanced age. The degree of impairment is related to factors of educational…