Emotions and lifelong learning: Synergies between neuroscience research and transformative learning theory

Abstract

Research in disparate fields of education, psychology and neuroscience suggests that emotions play a central role in learning. We critically examine research at the intersection of emotions, adult learning and neuroscience. First, we review studies in the IJLE related to emotions and adult learning. In particular, we focus on the impact of an IJLE publication that argued using neuroscience research for the important role of emotions in transformative learning theory. We then highlight recent developments in neuroscience of emotions with links to transformative learning, before reflecting on ways to move forward by combining neuroscience research with transformative learning theory.