The Theories and Theorists that Shape our Understanding of the Learning Process
Humanist
The humanistic paradigm of education can be understood as an approach to education which enables the expression of the full potential of the whole person. The paradigm draws on insights from counseling psychology and explores key areas of motivation and meaning for learners.
Overview and Resources
Humanist Psychologists
Application, Learning Transfer & Facilitation Methods
Please see the profile overviews of the previously listed Psychologists for an overview of humanist theory as it relates to Application, Learning Transfer, and Facilitation.
The humanistic paradigm of education can be understood as an approach to education which enables the expression of the full potential of the whole person. The paradigm draws on insights from counseling psychology and explores key areas of motivation and meaning for learners. This paradigm lays down general principles that learning should be based on the motivations of the learners, be rooted in the lived experience of the learners and involve immersion in engaging experiences, engage the whole person (including values, emotions, and physicality), and aim toward fulfillment of the individual and collective potential of the learners. Foundational theorists in this paradigm include Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, but we have also included more broadly humanistic thinkers such as Paulo Freire and Jack Mezirow.
This overview of Humanism was prepared by Mark Fender (mark.fender@iteams.org)
Maslow, often referred to as the father of modern management psychology, is best known for motivational theory through his hierarchy of needs.
This Brazilian educator developed Critical Pedagogy as a theory of education as liberatory praxis.
Carl Rogers was one of the core theorists of the humanistic paradigm whose work began in psychotherapy, with later application to the educational process. He applied his “client-centered” approach to therapy to interactions between teachers and students, resulting in a strongly student-centered approach to education.
Mezirow is notably considered the founder of Transformative Learning. This theory operates under the idea that learning is more than merely the acquisition of information. Rather, Transformative Learning is process where learners critically reflect on life experiences, including culture, religion, etc. allowing their perspectives and points of view to be challenged, thus evolving in new learning.
A profile of Abraham Maslow introducing his contributions to education
Learn about the theory of Transformative Learning in this profile of Jack Mezirow.
Developed the humanist theory as expressed through a student-oriented approach to education.
Emphasis on Radical/Critical Theory. For a dedicated overview of Radical/Critical Theory, please click the button below