Adult Learner Stereotype

Sadaf Lotfalian ADHE 412

The more you age, the slower your brain!

There is a common belief that as the brain ages, there is a a decline in cognitive performance. Adults gradually begin facing problems with tasks such as scheduling, planning, multi-tasking, and with the working memory. On a biochemical level, the memory system, being the one highly affected by the aging process, makes learning new materials difficult for an adult.

Incapable of updating the already established knowledge

There is a common misconception that adults are unable to integrate new ideas with their already established knowledge, especially if the new information is in conflict with what they know to be the truth. They are considered to have big egos and difficult to convince.

Too many roles, no time to focus!

Adult learners are assumed to be the ones with too much free time. Since they are able to prioritize education, they probably dont have important social roles. If they have a good job, a good family, a high status, and financial support, why would they need to learn more?

Questioning their educational background

There is a common misconception that an adult learner has probably had a lack of interest in education in younger ages. They were ignorant to the importance of education and are now trying to make up for the past mistakes.

There is no point in learning

There is a common belief that it is too late for adults to learn new things. It is assumed that there is less potential for the use of the newly obtained knowledge.