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For example, it might be that a pedagogical or dependent approach involving didactic teaching would be more appropriate when the learner first encounters new or unusual learning situations, provided that an andragogical approach is used overall. Similarly, Knowles believes that andragogy can be appropriate for children, with its emphasis on a classroom climate conducive to learning and the concept of increasing self-direction and autonomy. Two aspects of Knowles’s work have had a particularly strong influence on nurse education curricula: his process model for human resources development, and the use of learning contracts.

Humanistic theory is closely related to the philosophical approach called phenomenology, which asserts that reality lies in a person’s perception of an event and not in the event itself. indd 22 10/4/07 14:45:07 The humanistic basis of adult learning theory Humanistic theory, then, is concerned with human growth, individual fulfilment and self-actualization and it is claimed that this approach is ‘intuitively right’, as it agrees with the ideas that most people have about what is uniquely human.

Autonomy is one of the basic values of Western society; its literal meaning is ‘self-governing’, which implies independence and a sense of control over external forces. ) and towards the adult learners themselves. Autonomy is not an all-or-nothing phenomenon, but a continuum from lesser to greater autonomy; it is also a characteristic that can be developed (McNair, 1996). Humanistic psychology: Maslow’s approach Abraham H. Maslow (1908–1970) was a major exponent of the humanistic approach to psychology and has also made a significant contribution to motivation theory with his theory of a hierarchy of needs.