Overcoming Self-Inflicted Difficulties Encountered by Adult Learners

Paul D. Shuler, Ph.D.School of Management

• Fear of Failure

• Fear of Change

• Apathy

• Anxiety

Understanding

Identifying

Combating

Four Thinking-Preference Types

• Analyzer

• Feeler

• Visualizer

• Organizer

• Locus of Control

• Self-Efficacy

• Personal Experience

• Vicarious Experience

• Social Persuasion

• Physiological/Emotional Factors

Locus of Control Sliding Scale

Others Control My

(Internal) Environment

I Control My (External)

Environment

Action ========= Effect

% Chance ?

Bandura’s Self-Efficacy

Four Self-Inflicting TraitsStudent

Type

Self-Efficacy Level Apathy

Fear of Failure Anxiety Fear of Change

Analyzer

HighUse facts to show

actions can positively affect

Put facts, opinions, and

assumptions in writing

Make expectations

realistic

Voice your thoughts & focus

on facts

LowDetermine when to go from gathering “facts”

to taking action

Bring focus on the positive & create positive activities (small

successes)

Seek cause and effect of specific

actions

Focus on facts and minimize opinions or

assumptions

Feeler

HighNote how actions will

improve relationships & other’s feelings

Find examples of positive actions &

self encouragement

Ask for assurance of relationships and feelings

See how event will or has helped

others

Low Look for vicarious experiences & support

Find out how it makes others feel

when you …

Train to be empathetic vs sympathetic

Find events where has helped

others just like you or those close to you

Paul D. Shuler, Ph.D., School of Management

Overcoming Self-Inflicted Difficulties Encountered by Adult Learners