Cyril Houle studied 22 lifelong learners to understand why they continued learning. He identified three orientations to learning - goal, activity, and learning oriented. Goal oriented learners pursued education to achieve objectives, activity oriented found meaning in social activities, and learning oriented sought knowledge for its own sake. While all found learning enjoyable, their motivations and approaches differed. Others sometimes perceived their learning efforts negatively or as disparaged by family.

1. Cyril Houle’s
The Inquiring Mind, 1961
 Examined 22 cases of men and women who
engaged in continuing learning
 Wanted to find out
Why?
How they perceived themselves?
How they were perceived by others?

2. Commonalities
 Perceived by others as “deeply engaged in
learning”
 Perceived learning as important
 All had goals to achieve
 All found learning enjoyable / significant
 All believed learning worthwhile for its own
sake

3. Differences
 Varied in major purpose or values of
continuing education
Goal
Oriented
Activity
Oriented
Learning
Oriented

4. Goal
Oriented
Education was a means of
accomplishing clear-cut objectives
 Learning in episodes
 Always purpose-driven
 Not restricted to one
institution or one method
 Expressed desire to “keep
minds active”
 Reading focused on well-
defined interests

5. Found meaning in learning activity
unrelated to content or stated
purpose
• Course-takers in search of
social contact
 Socially acceptable place for
meeting others/making friends
 Most not big readers
 Some escaping from personal
problems or unhappy
relationships
Activity
Oriented

6. Seek knowledge for its own sake as
a constant activity
• Preoccupied with lifelong
learning - “driven”
 An “itch” to learn
 Avid readers since childhood
 Each educational experience has
a goal, but the total pattern is
one of continuous participation
Learning
Oriented

7. Others’ Perceptions
Effect of marriage /close relationships
2/3 believed efforts were disparaged
Parents never a neutral influence
Effect of public libraries, teachers
Effects learners have on friends