Papastamatis, A., Panitsides, E. & Boutskou, E. (2014). Transformative learning: Towards a holistic approach. Interrogating transformative processes in learning and education: an international dialogue. In D. Andritsakou & L. West, L. (Eds) What’s the point of Transformative Learning? Proceedings... (original) (raw)

The present paper lays the foundations for an integrated theory of transformative learning. In the essence of transformative learning is found the assumption that a sudden or dramatic event, or even incremental with smaller transformation, may induce changes in individuals, in ways that both themselves and others can recognize. Adult education and learning are inherently intertwined with change, change in knowledge, understanding, attitudes, beliefs, skills and/or behaviors. It is grounded on constructivist - developmental theory, drawing on rationality and cognitive processes as a means of effective perspective transformation. Traditionally, theory and research in adult education have examined learning as a purely cognitive process, while influential transformative learning theories, have been proposed by Freire (1972), Kolb (1984), and more recently by Mezirow (1991). However, recent studies, such as by Clark (2005), Dirkx (2001), Dixon and Baltes (1996), Heshusious and Ballard (1...