Directed Religious Encounter as Intrinsic Learning.
O'Brien, John Charles
1981
Abstract
Abraham Maslow contends that finding and developing an awareness of the self is done through a process of intrinsic learning. Intrinsic learning is "field independence". Intrinsic learning enables the individual to realize: (a)personhood, (b)community integration, and , (c)a coalescing of personal energy and resources. The elements of the process of intrinsic learning are: (1)underst and ing intrinsic development of the self; (2)the study of consciousness constructs; and , (3)experiencing the construct matrix or matrices by developing: (a)perceptions; (b)communication; (c)physical awareness and experience; (d)creative awareness and expression; (e)centering; (f)sacralization; and (g)community integration and participation. This study is an attempt to validate group encounter as an intrinsic learning matrix. The rite of initiation is reviewed as an historic form of intrinsic learning. Teens Encounter Christ (TEC), a directed religious encounter experience designed for high school juniors and seniors, was used as the basic experimental intrinsic matrix. T.E.C. is designed to prepare the student for the rite of confirmation (an initiation rite in the Roman Catholic Church) and /or to aid the student in reaffirming the meaning of that rite in his life. Carl Rogers' group process was used as the consciousness construct matrix for this phenomenological study. Fifteen young men who had experienced a TEC weekend were interviewed. The research data were extracted from the audio tapes of these interviews by the selection of responses colored by an affective lilt in the voice of the interviewee. The responses were divided into anticipated and unanticipated phenomena. The phenomena expressed in the responses in both areas strongly supported the TEC experience as a significant intrinsic learning matrix in the lives of the fifteen interviewees. The responses to the questions were sorted by their relationship to the components of initiation and their relationship to the Group Process as a consciousness construct matrix. Out of these responses seven major themes with sub-themes emerged: (A)Openness: dispensing with inhibitions; (B)Surviving masculinity and male intimacy; (C)Intimacy of community; (D)Altered awareness; (F)Suppression of emotion; (H)Feelings of normalcy; of being like others; (I)Integration...Congruity. Two groupings of significant comments are included with the themes: (E)Summary Comments on TEC; (G)Young adults' feelings about religion today. The results of the phenomenological inquiry indicate that the group encounter can be used as an intrinsic learning matrix. Specifically, Teens Encounter Christ (TEC), like the ancient rite of initiation, fulfills the three results of intrinsic learning: (1)personhood, (2)community integration, and (3)coalescing and self-direction of personal energy. From this experiment, the researcher suggests that future attempts to use group encounter as an intrinsic learning matrix are appropriate.Types
Thesis
Metadata
Show full item recordCollections
Remediation of Harmful Language
The University of Michigan Library aims to describe library materials in a way that respects the people and communities who create, use, and are represented in our collections. Report harmful or offensive language in catalog records, finding aids, or elsewhere in our collections anonymously through our metadata feedback form. More information at Remediation of Harmful Language.
Accessibility
If you are unable to use this file in its current format, please select the Contact Us link and we can modify it to make it more accessible to you.