Spirituality in Adult Learning

Initially, it was thought that adult development occurred much like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon.

Retrieved from http://www.holisticlearningcenter.com/images/headers/transformation.jpg

The premise was that once someone reached adulthood they were complete or finished. It’s as if they had crossed the finish line and there was little development or change after that.  Many years of research seemed to reveal otherwise.  Much of the research contends that instead of crossing the finish line they are actually completing the first lap in the long race of man laps.

Retrieved from http://www.finallapracing.com/gbpubrun/images/Final-Lap-logo_white.png

Erikson is one of the best known in the research of adult psychosocial stages of development. Each of his stages are characterized by a particular issue or crisis that needs to be addressed. (Merriam & Bierema, 2014) The video below discusses Erickson’s different stages of development.

Retrieved from http://youtu.be/PxwWr6T_O6s

 Learning and development seem to go hand in hand.  Learning is required for further development and development is required for future learning.
Merriam, S. B., & Bierema, L. L. (2014). Adult learning: Linking theory and practice. San Fransico, CA: Jossey-Bass.