Session 3: Assessing the Learning Environment I

The lesson started off with a recap of what constitutes Learning Environments, the why and what to assessing LE.

We were introduced to the background of prior research in LE, and were exposed to the works of Murray, Lewin, Leary (from the 1930s), Walberg, Moos (from the 1950s) and Fraser, Fisher (from the 1960s to 70s).

Using the Copernic software that was downloaded from http://www.copernic.com/, we were able to conduct a comprehensive search on Murray on the internet.

Background Studies on Murray
Henry A. Murray (1893 - 1988) was an American psychologist. He was one of the most important pioneers who introduced psychoanalysis into American academic psychology.

Drawing influences from Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, he was most noted for developing the "Need-Press" personality theory and developing the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) with the help of Christiana Morgan. His TAT test was a means of drawing forth from people by means of words and stories important aspects of personality that an individual could or would not volunteer. The TAT test was designed to be both a diagnostic tool and a research tool, and has contemporary applications even to-date.

His most famous single book, which was the outcome of collaborating with others at his Psychological Clinic, was Explorations in Personality (1938). He also co-edited, with the Harvard anthropologist Clyde Kluckhohn, an influential book of readings, Personality in Nature, Culture, and Society (1948).

Murray's identification of core psychological needs (Murray's Psychogenic Needs), including Achievement, Affiliation and Power (1938) provided the theoretical basis for the later research of David McClelland and underpins development of competency-based models of management effectiveness (Richard Boyatzis), Maslow's Hiearchy of Needs, and ideas relating to Positive Psychology.

*Note:
Psychogenic: originating in the mind or in mental or emotional conflict (according to the online Merriam-Webster dictionary at http://www.m-w.com)

Check out Andrew, Geraldine, Sushiliah and Selina's blog for a more comprehensive writeup on Murray's theories.