SpringerLink
Log in

Transformative Learning: A Narrative

  • Living reference work entry
  • Latest version View entry history
  • First Online:
Learning, Design, and Technology

  • 562 Accesses

Abstract

In this chapter, I present the story of the development of transformative learning theory, a story that unfolds over 40 years. Stimulated by his wife Edee’s experience, the story begins with Jack Mezirow’s early research on women’s reentry into college. This led to his conceptualization of perspective transformation. By 1991, he had developed a comprehensive theory of adult learning based on transformation. Scholars critiqued Mezirow’ work on a variety of bases: it was too cognitive, it neglected social change, and it was based on a misinterpretation of Habermas’s theory. Over time, these critiques led to alternative perspectives, and in turn, these alternatives created a problematic fragmentation of the theory of transformative learning. I trace the influences of the International Transformative Learning Conference and the Journal of Transformative Education in this narrative.

Patricia A. Cranton passed away in 2016

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Belenky, M. & Stanton, A. (2000). Inequality, development, and connected knowing. In J. Mezirow & Associates (Eds.), Learning as transformation: Critical perspectives on a theory in progress (pp. 71–102). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyd, R. D., & Myers, J. B. (1988). Transformative education. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 7, 261–284.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cranton, P. (2006). Understanding and promoting transformative learning: A guide for educators of adults (2nd ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dirkx, J. (1998). Transformative learning theory in the practice of adult education: An overview. PAACE Journal of Lifelong Learning, 7, 1–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dirkx, J. (2001). Images, transformative learning, and the work of soul. Adult Learning, 12(3), 15–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dirkx, J. (2012). Nurturing soul work: A Jungian approach to transformative learning. In E. W. Taylor & P. Cranton (Eds.), The handbook of transformative learning: Theory, research, and practice (pp. 116–130). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dirkx, J. M., Mezirow, J., & Cranton, P. (2006). Musings and reflections on the meaning, context, and process of transformative learning: A dialogue between John M. Dirkx and Jack Mezirow. Journal of Transformative Education, 4(2), 123–139.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fenwick, T. (1998). Questioning the concept of the learning organization. In S. M. Scott, B. Spencer, & A. M. Thomas (Eds.), Learning for life: Canadian readings in adult education. Toronto: Thompson Educational Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freire, P. (1970). Pedagogy of the oppressed. New York: Herder and Herder.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gunnlaugson, O. (2008). Metatheoretical prospects for the field of transformative learning. Journal of Transformative Education, 6(2), 124–135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Habermas, J. (1971). Knowledge and human interests. Boston: Beacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson-Bailey, J., & Alfred, M. (2006). Transformative teaching and the practices of Black Women adult educators. In E. W. Taylor (Ed.), Fostering transformative learning in the classroom: Challenges and innovation (New Directions in Adult and Continuing Education, no. 109). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kegan, R. (2000). What “form” transforms? A constructive-developmental approach to transformative learning. In J. Mezirow & Associates (Eds.), Learning as transformation: Critical perspectives on a theory in progress. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knowles, M. (1975). Self-directed learning: A guide for learners and teachers. Chicago: Follet.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knowles, M. (1980). The modern practice of adult education: From pedagogy to andragogy. Cambridge: New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Markos, L., & McWhinney, W. (2003). Editors’ perspectives. Journal of Transformative Education, 1(1), 3–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mejiuni, O., Cranton, P., & Taiwo, O. (Eds.). (2015). Measuring and analyzing informal learning in the digital age. Hershey, PA: IGI Global.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mezirow, J. (1978). Education for perspective transformation: Women’s re-entry programs in community colleges. Teachers College, Columbia University: Center for Adult Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mezirow, J. (1981). A critical theory of adult learning and education. Adult Education, 32, 3–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mezirow, J. (1985). A critical theory of self-directed learning. In S. D. Brookfield, (Ed.), Self-directed learning: From theory to practice (New Directions for Continuing Education, no. 25). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mezirow, J. (1991). Transformative dimensions of adult learning. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mezirow, J. (2000). Learning to think like an adult. In J. Mezirow & Associates (Eds.), Learning as transformation: Critical perspectives on a theory in progress (pp. 3–34). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mezirow, J. (2003). Transformative learning as discourse. Journal of Transformative Education, 1(1), 58–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mezirow, J, & Associates (2000) (Eds.). Learning as transformation: Critical perspectives on a theory in progress. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newman, M. (2012). Calling transformative learning into question: Some mutinous thoughts. Adult Education Quarterly, 62(1), 36–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Sullivan, E. (2003). The ecological terrain of transformative learning: A vision statement. In C. A. Wiessner, S. R. Meyer, N. Pfhal, & P. Neuman (Eds.), Transformative learning in action: Building bridges across contexts and disciplines. Proceeding of the Fifth International Conference on Transformative Learning, New York: Teachers College, Columbia University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stuckey, H., Taylor, E. W., & Cranton, P. (2014). Assessing transformative learning processes and outcomes. Journal of Transformative Education, 11(4), 211–228.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, E. W. (2008), Transformative learning theory. In S. B. Merriam (Ed.), Third update on adult learning theory (New Directions on Adult and Continuing Education, no. 119) (pp. 5–16). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, E., & Cranton, P. (2012). Looking back and looking forward. In E. Taylor & P. Cranton (Eds.), The handbook of transformative learning, (pp. 555–574). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, E. (2007). An update of transformative learning theory: A critical review of the empirical research (1999–2005). International Journal of Lifelong Education, 26(2), 173–191.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tisdell, E., & Tolliver, E. (2003). Claiming a sacred face: The role of spirituality and cultural identity in transformative adult higher education. Journal of Transformative Education, 1(4), 368–392.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yorks, L., & Marsick, V. (2000). Organizational learning and transformation. In J. Mezirow & Associates (eds.), Learning as transformation (pp. 253–281), San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Adult Education, University of New Brunswick, New Brunswick, Fredericton, PA, E4B 1L1, Canada

    Patricia A. Cranton

Authors
  1. Patricia A. Cranton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Patricia A. Cranton .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. College of Info, Ste G150, Univ of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA

    Michael J Spector

  2. School of Education, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA

    Barbara B Lockee

  3. School of Education, Baker University, Overland Park, Kansas, USA

    Marcus D. Childress

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this entry

Cite this entry

Cranton, P.A. (2017). Transformative Learning: A Narrative. In: Spector, M., Lockee, B., Childress, M. (eds) Learning, Design, and Technology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17727-4_37-2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17727-4_37-2

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-17727-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-17727-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference EducationReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Education

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Chapter history

  1. Latest

    Transformative Learning: A Narrative
    Published:
    23 January 2017

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17727-4_37-2

  2. Original

    Transformative Learning: A Narrative
    Published:
    02 June 2016

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17727-4_37-1

Search

Navigation