NOTE: The separate statements made in this table are meant to be read as if they were part of a cumulative whole. Each separate contributes something to the overall attitude developed. Neither behaviour nor attitudes should be viewed apart from the context in which they occur. The possible interpretations and attitudes suggested may be used by some undereducated learners, some of the time This material is not to be reprinted or cited for publication.


Characteristics of
undereducated learners		 Resulting behaviour
of learners 		Possible interpretations
by service-providers		 Possible attitude of service-providers
toward learners

1. adult learners will be independent participants not dependent spectators
adults who have not yet acquired childhood skills should be treated as children; they should be grateful & dependent

those who cannot work independently do not deserve much attention

those who can work independently deserve all the help we can provide and lots of extra attention

those who try and fail are exasperating

if I don't try on my own I won't get any help;

but when I try on my own I always fail; therefore

I have to fail to get any help and then they get angry with me

I'm a failure

I can't learn on my own

I'm helpless and hopeless

I'm powerless to stop their anger at me

What did I do to make them angry? (guilt)

2. we know best how to help people in your situation
we have standard ways for doing things to make everything easier for both us and you

we will tell you what to do, when and how

do not vary from this standard way or you'll have to do everything over; go to the end of the line

They must know best

I'd better do it their way

My way must be inadequate

I can't fight them so I'll give in.

They always get their way

You can't beat the system

I'm powerless here and helpless unless I resign myself to their will.

They are very powerful

3. there is a "correct" way to do things
we maintain standards of excellence by evaluating everyone on standardized tests.
for each question there, can only be one "correct" answer

do things the " correct" way (our way)

your answers are not of any interest to us unless they are "correct"

my ways for doing things must be "wrong" since they are different from their ways

my answers must be "wrong" for the same reason

I'm not very intelligent

I can't figure this out for myself

They will have to tell me what is "correct" and what to do.

4. we have developed an efficient way to explain our instructions.
these are written down to avoid confusion and inefficiency

give instructions in a standardized, written format -- the same for everyone

give oral instructions in standardized format-- the same for everyone

no one could possibly misunderstand

I don't understand this but if I ask for help they'll think I'm stupid and get angry

I'll have to do my best even though I really don't know what I am supposed to be doing

I feel burdened and stupid

They think I'm stupid

They don't seem to want to help me

They think I'm a failure I know I'll be a failure


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