Cyril Houle studied 22 lifelong learners to understand why they continued learning, how they saw themselves, and how others saw them. He found they all saw learning as important and enjoyable. However, they differed in their motivations - some were goal-oriented and learned for clear objectives, some were activity-oriented and learned for social reasons, and some were learning-oriented and sought knowledge for its own sake. Others sometimes disparaged their efforts, and relationships and early influences also impacted their perspectives on learning.

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