Study On Adult Learning Motivation

Abstract

There are several theories and models that explain adult learning. In adulthood, people are self-directed, they resort to experiential and transformative learning. Influenced by a number of bio-psycho-socio-cultural aspects, adult learning is based on strong motivation. In recent decades, there have been explored various reasons that stimulate people to engage in continuous learning or training activities. People have different purposes and interests, to which they give a less or greater importance. Some people are strongly motivated to have professional success, others are more interested in positive social contacts (the need for affiliation) or in interpersonal power (the need for power). Starting from these considerations, we developed a study on adult motivation. The adults included in the sample are trainees of the University of Craiova, enrolled in the psycho-pedagogic module, postgraduate. The proposed goal is to identify the reasons that are the basis of lifelong learning. We have assumed that there is a wide range of reasons that determine adults to learn, and that it is necessary to know them exactly when designing and unfolding the educational programs they are involved in. The research instrument we have used is the questionnaire and the results obtained from its application are the starting point in the discussions and conclusions of this study.