William Perry

Anthony Gaynier
Jonathan Coddington
Background
1913 January 12, 1998
Born in Paris.

Psychologist and Professor of Education

Author of Intellectual and Ethical Development in the College Years

Influential in Student Development.

Translated the Illiad.

Perrys Theory
Forms of Intellectual and Ethical Development in the College Years.

This theory is still a crucial part of student development today.

Describes a college aged students journey to intellectual and ethical

development.

9 stages broken up into 4 main groups.

Dualism/Received Knowledge
There are right and wrong answers, given by Authorities

1. Basic Duality
1. All solutions can be solved, authorities know the answers.
2. Students goal is to figure out these answers

2. Full Duality
1. Literature and Philosophy have disagreement in their solutions
2. Math and Science have definite solutions
3. Students goal is to find the correct solutions despite the disagreements.
Multiplicity/Subjective Knowledge
There are conflicting ideas, students need to follow their inner voice

1. Early Multiplicity
1. Problems in which the answer is known
2. Problems in which the answer is unknown

2. Late Multiplicity
1. Answers are unknown
2. All have right to their own opinion

. Breaking point
Relativism/Procedural Knowledge
Connected knowledge- How does this story make you feel?
Separated knowledge- What techniques are used in this story?

1. Contextual Relativism
1. Solutions need support, some are better than others.
2. Students goal is to evaluate solutions

2. Pre-Commitment
1. Student sees the importance of making choices and committing to a solution
Commitment/Constructed Knowledge
Integration of experience and previous knowledge

1. Commitment
1. Student makes in a commitment

2. Challenges to Commitment
1. Student experiences challenges
2. Takes responsibility with commitment

3. Post-Commitment
1. Student realizes commitment is an ongoing process
References
Perry, William G., Jr. (1970), Forms of Intellectual and Ethical Development
in the College Years: A Scheme (New York: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston).

Perry, William G., Jr. (1981), "Cognitive and Ethical Growth: The Making of
Meaning", in Arthur W. Chickering and Associates, The Modern American
College (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass): 76-116