Restricted access

Research article

First published online April 1, 2008

Request permissions

The Evolution of John Mezirow's Transformative Learning Theory

Andrew KitchenhamView all authors and affiliations

Volume 6, Issue 2

https://doi.org/10.1177/1541344608322678

Abstract
References

Abstract

This article is a review of Mezirow's transformative learning from its inception to the latest definition. The review builds on Taylor's earlier discussions, but unlike his review, this history of transformative learning relies predominantly on Mezirow's publications to authenticate the discussion with support from the extant literature. The article begins with Mezirow's explanation of the stages of transformative learning, continues with the influences on the theory, transitions into the criticisms, and concludes with a discussion of its evolution and development.

Get full access to this article

View all access and purchase options for this article.

References

Clark, M.C., & Wilson, A.L. (1991). Context and rationality in Mezirow's theory of transformational learning. Adult Education Quarterly, 41(2), 75-91.

Collard, S., & Law, M. (1989). The limits of perspective transformation: A critique of Mezirow's theory. Adult Education Quarterly, 39, 99-107.

Cranton, P. (1994). Understanding and promoting transformative learning: A guide for educators of adults. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Cranton, P. (1996). Professional development as transformative learning: New perspectives for teachers of adults. San Francisco : Jossey-Bass.

Cranton, P. (2001). Becoming an authentic teacher in higher education . Malabar, FL: Krieger Publishing Company.

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

Cranton, P., & Carusetta, E. (2004). Developing authenticity as a transformative process . Journal of Transformative Education, 2(4), 276-293.

Cranton, P., & King, K.P. (2003). Transformative learning as a professional development goal. New Perspectives on Designing and Implementing Professional Development of Teachers of Adults, 98, 31-37.

Cranton, P., & Roy, M. (2003). When the bottom falls out of the bucket: Toward a holistic perspective on transformative learning. Journal of Transformative Education, 1(2), 6-98.

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.

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

Freire, P. (1973). Education for critical consciousness. New York: Continuum.

Freire, P., & Faundez, A. (1989). Learning to question. New York : Continuum.

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

Habermas, J. (1984). The theory of communicative action. Vol. 1: Reason and the rationalization of society (T. McCarthy, Trans.). Boston: Beacon.

Habermas, J. (1989). The structural transformation of the public sphere: An inquiry into a category of bourgeois society (T. B. a. F. Lawrence, Trans.) . Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. (Original work published in 1962)

Hord, S. (1992). Facilitative leadership: The imperative for change. Austin, TX: Southwest Educational Development Laboratory. Retrieved August 13, 2004, from Southwest Educational Development Laboratory Web site: http://www.sedl.org/change/facilitate/welcome.html

Kelly, G.A. (1970). A brief introduction to personal construct theory . In D. Bannister (Ed.), New perspectives in personal construct theory (pp. 1-30). London : Academic Press.

King, K.P. (1997a). Examining activities that promote perspective transformation among adult learners in higher education. Dissertation Abstracts International, 58(03A). (UMI No. 9724492)

King, K.P. (1997b). Examining learning activities and transformational learning. International Journal of University Adult Education, 36(3), 23-37.

King, K.P. (1998). A guide to perspective transformation and learning activities: The Learning Activities Survey. Philadelphia : Research for Better Schools.

King, K.P. (2000). Educational technology that transforms: Educators' transformational learning experiences in professional development. In T. Sork, V. Chapman, & R. St. Clair (Eds.), Proceedings of the 41st Annual Adult Education Research Conference (pp. 211-215). Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: University of British Columbia Press.

King, K.P. (2002). Keeping pace with technology: Educational technology that transforms-Volume One: The challenge and promise for K - 12 educators . Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press.

King, P.M., & Kitchener, K.S. (1994). Developing reflective judgment: Understanding and promoting intellectual growth and critical thinking in adolescents and adults. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass .

Kitchenham, A.D. (2006). Teachers and technology: A transformative journey . Journal of Transformative Education, 4(3), 202-225.

Knowles, M. (1975). Self-directed learning. Chicago : Association Press, Follett.

Kolb, D.A. (1984). Experiential learning: Experience as a source of learning and development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Kuhn, T. (1962). The structure of scientific revolutions. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Mezirow, J. (1975). Education for perspective transformation: Women's re-entry programs in community colleges. New York: Centre for Adult Education, Teachers College, Columbia University.

Mezirow, J. (1978a). Education for perspective transformation: Women's re-entry programs in community colleges. New York: Teacher's College, Columbia University.

Mezirow, J. (1978b). Perspective transformation. Adult Education, 28, 100-110.

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

Mezirow, J. (1985). A critical theory of self-directed learning. In S. Brookfield (Ed.), Self-directed learning: From theory to practice (New Directions for Continuing Education, 25). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass .

Mezirow, J. (1989). Transformation theory and social action: A response to Collard and Law. Adult Education Quarterly, 39(3), 169-175.

Mezirow, J. (1990). Fostering critical reflection in adulthood. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

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

Mezirow, J. (1991b). Transformation theory and cultural context: A reply to Clark and Wilson. Adult Education Quarterly, 41(3), 188-192.

Mezirow, J. (1992). Transformation theory: Critique and confusion . Adult Education Quarterly, 42(4), 250-252.

Mezirow, J. (1994a). Response to Mark Tennant and Michael Newman. Adult Education Quarterly, 44(4), 243-244.

Mezirow, J. (1994b). Understanding transformation theory. Adult Education Quarterly, 44(4), 222-232.

Mezirow, J. (1995). Transformation theory of adult learning. In M. R. Welton (Ed.), In defense of the life-world (pp. 39-70). New York: State University of New York Press.

Mezirow, J. (1996). Contemporary paradigms of learning. Adult Education Quarterly, 46(3), 158-172.

Mezirow, J. (1997). Transformative learning: Theory to practice. In P. Cranton (Ed.), Transformative learning in action: Insights from practice - New directions for adult and continuing education, No. 74(pp. 5-12). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Mezirow, J. (1998a). Cognitive processes: Contemporary paradigm of learning. In P. Sutherland (Ed.), Adult learning: A reader (pp. 2-13). Stirling, VA: Kogan Page.

Mezirow, J. (1998b). On critical reflection. Adult Learning Quarterly, 48(3), 185-198.

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

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

Mezirow, J. (2006). An overview of transformative learning. In P. Sutherland & J. Crowther (Eds.), Lifelong learning: Concepts and contexts (pp. 24-38). New York: Routledge.

Morrow, R.A., & Torres, C.A. (2002). Reading Freire and Habermas: Critical pedagogy and transformative social change. New York: Teachers College Press.

Piaget, J. (1972). Intellectual evolution from adolescent to adulthood . Human Development, 16, 346-370.

Shor, I. (1993). Education is politics: Paulo Freire's critical pedagogy. In P. McLaren & P. Leonard (Eds.), Paulo Freire: A critical encounter (pp. 25-35). New York: Routledge .

Shor, I., & Freire, P. (1987). A pedagogy for liberation. Westport, CT: Bergin and Garvey.

Taylor, E.W. (1997). Building upon the theoretical debate: A critical review of the empirical studies of Mezirow's transformative learning theory . Adult Education Quarterly, 48, 32-57.

Taylor, E.W. (1998). The theory and practice of transformative learning: A critical review. Columbus, OH: ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, Career, and Vocational Education.

Taylor, E.W. (2000). Analyzing research on transformative learning theory. In J. Mezirow and Associates (Eds.), Learning as transformation: Critical perspectives on a theory in progress (pp. 285-328). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Transformative Learning Centre . (2004). The Transformative Learning Centre. Retrieved July 27, 2004, from Transformative Learning Centre Web site: http://tlc.oise.utoronto.ca/index.htm

Vygotsky, L. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Whitelaw, C., Sears, M., & Campbell, K. (2004). Transformative learning in a faculty professional development context. Journal of Transformative Education, 2(1), 9-27.

You currently have no access to this content. Visit the access options page to authenticate.