Kegans Model of Adult Cognitive Development
Robert Kegan has developed a model of adult cognitive development, one of the most influential models of the 21st century. This model posits that as adults, we go through different stages of cognitive development. Each stage is characterised by how we think and how we make sense of the world around us. This essay will look at Kegans model of adult cognitive development in more depth, including a description of the five stages and their implications for adult education.
The five stages of Kegans model of adult cognitive development are as follows:
1. Impulse: At this stage, people are driven by their basic and immediate desires. Emotions are often uncontrolled, and decisions are made based on desire alone.
2. Socialized Mind: The individual begins to internalize the acceptable beliefs of their own particular culture and society. This provides them with a structure to shape their thoughts and beliefs, and can help individuals become more rational decision makers.
3. Self-Authored Mind: In this stage, the individual begins to develop a consistent personal identity. They begin to question accepted beliefs and construct their own understanding of the world. This stage is characterised by a personal moral code and a sense of self-worth.
4. Self-Transforming Mind: This stage is marked by a greater ability to think abstractly and flexibly. People become more adept at understanding conflicting points of view and creative solutions become more easily achievable.
5. Inter-Independent Mind: Individuals in this stage are able to think beyond their own individual perspective and to understand and empathise with the perspectives and feelings of others. They become more open-minded and less rigid in their thinking.
The implications of Kegans model of adult cognitive development for adult education are multifaceted. Firstly, it provides an understanding of how adults acquire knowledge and how they process information. Knowing what stage of cognitive development a person is in can provide insight into how they learn and their capacity to do so.
In addition, the model also helps in identifying learning needs and appropriate teaching methods for different stages of development. For example, for adults in the impulse stage, teaching methods may need to emphasise rote learning and repetition, while adults in the self-transforming stage may respond better to more abstract or creative approaches.
Finally, the model may even be adapted to create training programmes for specific professions or industries. For example, a program for a business professional may be designed to foster emotional intelligence, or a program for a medical professional may emphasize analytical thinking.
In conclusion, Kegans model of adult cognitive development is a powerful and insightful tool. It provides a structure for understanding adult learning and can be used to identify learning needs and create training programmes specifically tailored to different stages of cognitive development. It is an invaluable resource for anyone in the field of adult education.
