William G. Perry Jr.
William G. Perry Jr. was an educational psychologist who studied the cognitive development of college students. According to Broderick and Blewitt, 2005, Perry’s research proposed a stage-based theory which described how college students learn and change their intellectual and ethical world-views and how one makes choices about the meaning of life, and one's responsibilities and values (p.420). Perry has divided his analysis on how college student gain knowledge into 9 position further grouped into 4 stages.
First stage is Dualism which is the belief every problem is solvable and students are to learn the right answers which one must obey authorities such as teachers. The second stage is multiplicity, which is two types of problems: solvable and problems which answers are not known yet students put trust in their own inner voice. The third stage is Relativism during this stage the solutions to problems must have reasons, and be viewed within a specific setting. The basis for this stage is that every issue must be evaluated due to everything being related. Lastly, the fourth stage is commitment in relativism which is where there is a recognition of doubt as part of life, students use …show more content…
p.422). Perry reveals the most important changes occur in methods which individuals perceive their world rather than in the specifics of their attitudes and concerns. There are many college student who have had someone to make their decisions for them and now they are faced with becoming independent. College can be a bit challenging and confusing for many to decide what courses and major they would like to take. It is important for college students to consider their different options if they determine the major they have chosen is not for them and aim for what makes them happy and where their passion
William G. Perry Jr. was an educational psychologist who studied the cognitive development of college students. According to Broderick and Blewitt, 2005, Perry’s research proposed a stage-based theory which described how college students learn and change their intellectual and ethical world-views and how one makes choices about the meaning of life, and one's responsibilities and values (p.420). Perry has divided his analysis on how college student gain knowledge into 9 position further grouped into 4 stages.
First stage is Dualism which is the belief every problem is solvable and students are to learn the right answers which one must obey authorities such as teachers. The second stage is multiplicity, which is two types of problems: solvable and problems which answers are not known yet students put trust in their own inner voice. The third stage is Relativism during this stage the solutions to problems must have reasons, and be viewed within a specific setting. The basis for this stage is that every issue must be evaluated due to everything being related. Lastly, the fourth stage is commitment in relativism which is where there is a recognition of doubt as part of life, students use …show more content…
p.422). Perry reveals the most important changes occur in methods which individuals perceive their world rather than in the specifics of their attitudes and concerns. There are many college student who have had someone to make their decisions for them and now they are faced with becoming independent. College can be a bit challenging and confusing for many to decide what courses and major they would like to take. It is important for college students to consider their different options if they determine the major they have chosen is not for them and aim for what makes them happy and where their passion