Which of the following is an assumption of adult learners?

• A. Self-concept moves from dependent toward self-directing
• B. Adults have no need to know the reason for learning
• C. Learning is unrelated to experiences
• D. Motivation is exclusively external

Answer: (A)

Adult learning theory holds that as people mature, their self-concept shifts from being dependent to becoming self-directing. This means adults want to take responsibility for their learning, set their own goals, choose methods, and monitor progress. They bring a wealth of experiences to the learning process, which serves as a resource to connect new information to real-life contexts. Learning for adults is most effective when it is relevant to their needs and problems, and when they can apply it to real situations.

That’s why the statement about self-direction fits best. It aligns with how adults approach learning and why instructional approaches for adults emphasize learner autonomy, problem-centered tasks, and leveraging prior experience.

The other ideas don’t fit as well with how adults typically learn. Adults do benefit from understanding why the learning is important and how it will be used, rather than being asked to learn without purpose. Learning is deeply connected to their experiences, not unrelated to them. And motivation among adults isn’t exclusively external; internal motivations like personal growth, professional advancement, and sense of competence also play a big role.