Learning in adults is by connecting experience with reflection and the learning process is different to that of childhood [1]. To understand the psychological effect in learning process of adult learners in literacy centers we consider the conceptual framework on cognitive, emotional, environmental and as well as prior experience, influences on learning processes of adult learners.

“Understanding learning in adulthood is like piercing together a puzzle; there are many parts that must be fitted together before the total picture emerges” [2]. The individual learner, the context in which the learning takes place, and the learning process are all parts of this puzzle. “Indeed, adult learning is the ‘glue’ holding together a field [adult education] that is diverse in content, clientele, and delivery systems” [2]. Adult education can be defined as a practice in which adults engage in systematic and sustained self-education activities in order to gain new forms of knowledge, skills, attitudes, or values. It can mean any form of learning adults engage in beyond traditional schooling, encompassing basic literacy to personal fulfillment as a lifelong learner. In particular, adult education reflects a specific philosophy about learning and teaching based on the assumption that adults can and want to learn, that they are able and willing to take responsibility for that learning, and that the learning itself should respond to their needs. The adult education process drives towards the achievement of the capability to individually use reason on the subject matter in question. Adult education learning process comprises the stages of adulthood which can be characterized; physiologically, psychologically, chronologically, sociocultural, biologically, mentally, intellectually, politically and physically. The physical and psycho-social conditions of adults certainly impact how adults learn [2]. Some biological changes, such as loss of hearing and sight or disease, can seriously affect the learning process. From a psycho-social perspective, life stages or events can have an impact not only on whether or not adults choose to participate, but on how they participate, in learning. Erikson’s stages of development were influential in the development of adult learning theory.

The concepts of self-directed learning, andragogy, and perspective transformation, have been critical to the psychological effect of adult learning in literacy center’s [2].Two educational theorists were products of Dewey’s laboratory school for the Department of adult learning, Cyril Houle and Malcolm Knowles, and the ideas of both have framed the discussion around adult educational theory. Houle’s research, which was a qualitative study of individuals participating in various types of learning, resulted in a typology of the adult learner. Houle identified three subgroups of learners: adults who are goal oriented, adults who are activity oriented, and adults who are learning oriented [3]. Goal oriented learners are out to accomplish some identifiable objective, such as a degree or certification. Activity oriented learners are those who participate in learning for another reason unrelated to knowledge acquisition: to socialize, to find a spouse, to escape an unpleasant home life. Learning oriented learners are those who seek knowledge for its own sake. Houle’s research was significant to the development of the concept of self-directed learning, a concept that has helped define learning in adulthood [2-3]. It was also significant to the psychological development of the idea that all persons had a desire to learn, a rather radical thought for its time [4]. Knowles was first introduced to the concept of andragogy by Yugoslavian adult educator, Duson Savicevic. The concept of andragogy had been evolving in Europe for some time and was further refined by Knowles [1]. Andragogy, the art and science of teaching adults, is contrasted with pedagogy, the art and science of teaching children [1]. In the former, the learning experience is driven by the learner; in the latter, the learning experience is driven by the teacher. Andragogy is based upon five assumptions of adult learning: maturity moves one to more self-direction, experience is a rich resource for learning, learning readiness is closely related to the developmental tasks of the adult’s social role, adults are more problem centered than subject centered in their learning, and adults are motivated by internal rather than external factors [1]. The concept of perspective transformation is informed largely by the field of cognitive psychology. Two major themes in cognitive development are particularly informative: dialectical thinking and contextual thinking. Dialectical thinking “allows for the acceptance of alternative truths or ways of thinking about the many contradictions and paradoxes that we face in everyday life” [2]. Adult students also think within the contextual frames of social, cultural, political, and economic forces. Mesirow’s [5] theory of perspective transformation was significant in informing adult cognitive process. Attaching critical reflection and an awareness of why we attach meaning to reality is a hallmark of adult learning. “Uncritically assimilated meaning perspectives, which determine what, how, and why we learn, may be transformed through critical reflection. Reflection on one’s own premises can lead to transformational learning [5]. Transformational learning means reassessing one’s perspectives or correcting distorted assumptions. Learning from experience is certainly something the adult learner brings to the table. Adults, as indicated in the above narrative, tend to connect what they are learning to previous experiences and possible future situations [2]. Adult learners are also very pragmatic, they want to see that what they are learning has application to something practical. Two ways adult educators have brought the experiential world of adults into the learning process is through cognitive apprenticeships and anchored practice, and the primary goal of each is to develop specific skills and competencies in a particular field. The more students practice the skill, the more proficient they become. While the desire and the ability to learn are not shared equally by everyone, both can be fostered by good teaching, by careful guidance, by building and enlarging sympathetic enclaves, and by providing a range of educational opportunities. These tasks are too great for partial and divided efforts. The inquiring minds of the past have produced most of the advances of civilization.

Research Design 

The study employed descriptive research procedure of the survey type. Descriptive research also involves collecting data in order to test hypotheses or ensure questions covering the study. This method made use of primary data to elicit the necessary information required for this research.

Population

The population of this study comprises of the selected literacy centres of South West Nigeria.

Sample 

Since the population in various literacy centres in South West Nigeria is large, it was not possible to study the entire population because of time and financial constraints. The sample consists of 100 respondents from South West Nigeria.

Instrument 

The instrument consists of structured questionnaire for the study. Participants responded to the questions statement in a 4- point Likert scale type ranging from Agree = 1, Strong Agree – 2, Disagree -3 and Strong Disagree- 4. 

Data collection

The research instrument was administered among the respondents selected for this study and the researchers administered them with the assistance of two other research assistants.

Data Analysis

Data was collected and analyzed using distributive statistics and the results presented in tables with cumulative frequency counts and percentage were used for the analysis.

Research Question 1: How Has Psychological Effect Created By the Environment Affect Learning Process in Adult Literacy Centre?

From Table 1, majority of adult learners with the percentage of 64% disagreed to finding it convenient in learning in a noisy area and 36 agreed to finding noisy area convenient for their learning process. Clientele of about 83% agreed that urbanization can cause environmental problems causing learners distractions in South West Nigeria literacy centres which can affect adult learning process. Majority of the adult learners with the percentage of 81% agreed that facilitators should adopt demonstrative method of teaching adult learners in South West Nigeria literacy centre and 19% disagreed of using this facilitating method with adult learners. 13% disagreed with the statement that adult learning centres should be equipped with all necessary technologies and materials to aid learning while 85% agreed to literacy centres being equipped with all necessary technologies and materials in South West Nigeria so as to aid adult learning process.80% agreed that poor environmental sanitation can cause learning problems and reduction in pace of learning amongst adult learners in South West Nigeria literacy centres and 20% disagreed to the statement.
 

Table 1: Psychological Effect of an Environment to Learning Process

Source: Researchers Survey, 2019

Research Question 2: How Has Caliber or Status Affected Learning Process of Clientele In Adult Education Either Single, Married, or Divorced?

From Table 2: majority of respondent cumulatively agreed with the percentage of 74% agreed to the statement that their children tend to delay them as a parent to getting to learning centres on time and 26% disagreed to the statement. 58% adult learners in South West Nigeria agreed to the statement stating that the divorced get to centres on time and they put in more effort in learning, this adult learner believe that they have nothing else to do than to focus on learning unlike the married one’s among them while 42% disagreed to statement. Broken homes cause lack of participation and frustration to learning, 66% agreed to this statement because someone with a broken home is already psychological imbalance to learn, while 34% disagreed to the statement. 76% of respondent agreed to singles being emotional instable and always impatient in learning, while 24%disagreed to this statement. There is a lot of responsibility on adult and they tend to place learning last on their priority list, 59% agreed that it has not be easy for them in South West Nigeria literacy centres and 41% disagreed to the assertion. 77% of learners agreed to learners think a lot about the things going on in their lives and singles always like to think about the future while 23% disagreed to this statement.

Table 2: Effect of Caliber or Status on Learning Process of Clientele 

Source: Researchers Survey, 2019

Research Question 3: How Have Experiences and Background of Learners Has Affected Learning Process Among Adult Learners?

From Table 3: 20% disagreed to their occupation sometimes affecting their learning and 80% agreed to their occupation affecting their learning, majority of adult learners in South West Nigeria agreed to when in class, my past do occur to me which do lead to setback in learning while 20%disagreed to this statement. Some addictions you faced back then has actually affected your life one way or the other, some of this addiction can cause delays in the learning process of adult learners in literacy centres, 77% agreed to this assertion while 23% disagreed. Those addictions, do you still find yourself doing them, 59% disagreed meaning that they don’t find themselves doing them anymore while 41% agreed meaning they still find themselves doing them.73% agreed that my learning process has been affected due to psychological problems caused by polygamous home while 27%disagreed to the statement. Your facilitators, lecturers, boss, parent, guidance, spouse personality can affect your learning negatively or positively, 82% agreed to this and 18% disagreed to the statement, leaders always have a way of affecting us negatively or positively during learnings in literacy centres. Majority of adult learners with 86% agreed to your engagement in the past with extra curriculum activities, should have affected your learning by any chance while 14% disagreed. 56% of learners agreed to have you ever shared your top secret with your facilitator, it should be helpful in the course of learning and 44% disagreed. Cumulatively 71% of adult learners agreed to inadequate funds has hindered them in several literacy centres and 28% disagreed to this statement.

Table 3: Effect of Experiences and Backgrounds of Learners in Learning Process

Source: Researchers Survey, 2019

Research Question 4: How Has Age of Adult Learners Affect The Learning Process In Literacy Centres?

From Table 4: It shows that the age of learners affects the learning process of adult learners in literacy centre, majority agreed with the percentage of 80%to at your 40’s, you find it hard to memorize and 20%disagreed to the statement. You find it hard to see the board, when it’s far from you 74%agreed to this, while 26% disagreed to this statement. 67% agreed to you get easily fatigued or tired and 33% disagreed. There is a mutual relationship between the facilitator and you due to your age, facilitator tend to give you your respect, 49% agreed to this while 19% disagreed to this assertion. There is an age you get to .that you find it hard to hold stories or items where they kept 82% agreed to this and 18% disagreed to this assertion.

Table 4: Effect of Age to Learners Learning Process

Source: Researchers Survey, 20

Research Question 5: How social media has affected learning process in literacy centres?

From Table 5: The use of handset has helped my learning to be interesting in literacy centre 94% agreed to this because media has actually been a great help to the learning process of adult learners in South West Nigeria literacy centres while only 6% disagreed to this statement. Poor medium in dissemination of information in literacy centre can affect the facilitators in teaching adult learners due to the turn up and which can affect or discourage learners, 82%agreed to this and 18%disagreed. Due to the help of media, the facilitator and learners has been able to reduce stress 80% agreed to this and 16%disagreed, the media has been able to settle some psychological problems that can affect learning process in adult literacy centre in South West Nigeria literacy centres. You were able to do your research before coming to literacy centre, 89% agreed to this and 11% disagreed. It aids communication and mutual relationship between learners and facilitators, 18%disagreed and 82% agreed to this statement. This shows that the effect of social media is a vital aspect of psychological effect of adult learning process in South West Nigeria literacy centres.

Table 5: Effect of Social Media to Learning Process in Literacy Centres

Source: Researchers Survey, 2019

Discussion of findings

Research question one stated how the psychological effect created by the environment affect learning process in adult learning literacy Centre, the finding revealed that 64% of adult learners disagreed to noisy environment during learning at the centres, 83% agreed to being affected by urbanization, 81% agreed to the facilitator engaging in demonstrative method for learning, 87% agreed that adult literacy centres in South West Nigeria should be equipped and 60% disagreed to poor sanitation causing learning problems. The psychological effect created by the environment was supported in the effect environment to learning in the chapter two of this project.

Research question two stated, how caliber or status has affected learning process of clientele in adult education either married, single or divorced. The findings show that 74% of adult learners in South West Nigeria literacy centres agreed to children delay them, 42% disagreed to the divorcees getting to literacy centres on time and them putting efforts to learning, 59% of adult learners in South West Nigeria literacy centres agreed to having lot of responsibilities and tending to place learning las on their priority list.

Research question three, states how experiences and backgrounds of learners has affected learning process among adult learners. Under this research questions, 80% of learners agreed to occupations sometimes affecting their learnings, 70% agreed to their past leading to setback in their learning, 73% agreed to polygamous home affecting them psychologically. Malcom Knowles was in support of this findings. 

Research question four, states age of the learners affects the learning process in the literacy centres of South West Nigeria, 80% agreed to finding it hard to memorize at the age of 40 while 81% agreed to there being an aged person to be learning at that level, and that the brain finds it hard to hold stories, or items where they are kept. ‘Hallam [14] noted that the ability to comprehend new information and to think flexibly improves with age’. Demographical profile in chapter two explains more on these findings.

Research question five, states how social media has affected learning process in literacy centers, 82% of adult learners in adult literacy Centre agreed that poor dissemination of information can affects the facilitators in teaching the adult learners in regards to the turn up of learners, 82% also agreed that social media aids communication and mutual relationship between the facilitator and adult learners in Ibadan north literacy centers.Research Question 1: How Has Psychological Effect Created By the Environment Affect Learning Process in Adult Literacy Centre?

From Table 1, majority of adult learners with the percentage of 64% disagreed to finding it convenient in learning in a noisy area and 36 agreed to finding noisy area convenient for their learning process. Clientele of about 83% agreed that urbanization can cause environmental problems causing learners distractions in South West Nigeria literacy centres which can affect adult learning process. Majority of the adult learners with the percentage of 81% agreed that facilitators should adopt demonstrative method of teaching adult learners in South West Nigeria literacy centre and 19% disagreed of using this facilitating method with adult learners. 13% disagreed with the statement that adult learning centres should be equipped with all necessary technologies and materials to aid learning while 85% agreed to literacy centres being equipped with all necessary technologies and materials in South West Nigeria so as to aid adult learning process.80% agreed that poor environmental sanitation can cause learning problems and reduction in pace of learning amongst adult learners in South West Nigeria literacy centres and 20% disagreed to the statement.

Table 1: Psychological Effect of an Environment to Learning Process

Source: Researchers Survey, 2019

Research Question 2: How Has Caliber or Status Affected Learning Process of Clientele In Adult Education Either Single, Married, or Divorced?

From Table 2: majority of respondent cumulatively agreed with the percentage of 74% agreed to the statement that their children tend to delay them as a parent to getting to learning centres on time and 26% disagreed to the statement. 58% adult learners in South West Nigeria agreed to the statement stating that the divorced get to centres on time and they put in more effort in learning, this adult learner believe that they have nothing else to do than to focus on learning unlike the married one’s among them while 42% disagreed to statement. Broken homes cause lack of participation and frustration to learning, 66% agreed to this statement because someone with a broken home is already psychological imbalance to learn, while 34% disagreed to the statement. 76% of respondent agreed to singles being emotional instable and always impatient in learning, while 24%disagreed to this statement. There is a lot of responsibility on adult and they tend to place learning last on their priority list, 59% agreed that it has not be easy for them in South West Nigeria literacy centres and 41% disagreed to the assertion. 77% of learners agreed to learners think a lot about the things going on in their lives and singles always like to think about the future while 23% disagreed to this statement.

Table 2: Effect of Caliber or Status on Learning Process of Clientele 

Source: Researchers Survey, 2019

Research Question 3: How Have Experiences and Background of Learners Has Affected Learning Process Among Adult Learners?

From Table 3: 20% disagreed to their occupation sometimes affecting their learning and 80% agreed to their occupation affecting their learning, majority of adult learners in South West Nigeria agreed to when in class, my past do occur to me which do lead to setback in learning while 20%disagreed to this statement. Some addictions you faced back then has actually affected your life one way or the other, some of this addiction can cause delays in the learning process of adult learners in literacy centres, 77% agreed to this assertion while 23% disagreed. Those addictions, do you still find yourself doing them, 59% disagreed meaning that they don’t find themselves doing them anymore while 41% agreed meaning they still find themselves doing them.73% agreed that my learning process has been affected due to psychological problems caused by polygamous home while 27%disagreed to the statement. Your facilitators, lecturers, boss, parent, guidance, spouse personality can affect your learning negatively or positively, 82% agreed to this and 18% disagreed to the statement, leaders always have a way of affecting us negatively or positively during learnings in literacy centres. Majority of adult learners with 86% agreed to your engagement in the past with extra curriculum activities, should have affected your learning by any chance while 14% disagreed. 56% of learners agreed to have you ever shared your top secret with your facilitator, it should be helpful in the course of learning and 44% disagreed. Cumulatively 71% of adult learners agreed to inadequate funds has hindered them in several literacy centres and 28% disagreed to this statement.

Table 3: Effect of Experiences and Backgrounds of Learners in Learning Process

Source: Researchers Survey, 2019

Research Question 4: How Has Age of Adult Learners Affect The Learning Process In Literacy Centres?

From Table 4: It shows that the age of learners affects the learning process of adult learners in literacy centre, majority agreed with the percentage of 80%to at your 40’s, you find it hard to memorize and 20%disagreed to the statement. You find it hard to see the board, when it’s far from you 74%agreed to this, while 26% disagreed to this statement. 67% agreed to you get easily fatigued or tired and 33% disagreed. There is a mutual relationship between the facilitator and you due to your age, facilitator tend to give you your respect, 49% agreed to this while 19% disagreed to this assertion. There is an age you get to .that you find it hard to hold stories or items where they kept 82% agreed to this and 18% disagreed to this assertion.

Table 4: Effect of Age to Learners Learning Process

Source: Researchers Survey, 2019

Research Question 5: How social media has affected learning process in literacy centres?

From Table 5: The use of  handset has helped my learning to be interesting in literacy centre 94% agreed to this because media has actually been a great help to the learning process of adult learners in South West Nigeria literacy centres while only 6% disagreed to this statement. Poor medium in dissemination of information in literacy centre can affect the facilitators in teaching adult learners due to the turn up and which can affect or discourage learners, 82%agreed to this and 18%disagreed. Due to the help of media, the facilitator and learners has been able to reduce stress 80% agreed to this and 16%disagreed, the media has been able to settle some psychological problems that can affect learning process in adult literacy centre in South West Nigeria literacy centres. You were able to do your research before coming to literacy centre, 89% agreed to this and 11% disagreed. It aids communication and mutual relationship between learners and facilitators, 18%disagreed and 82% agreed to this statement. This shows that the effect of social media is a vital aspect of psychological effect of adult learning process in South West Nigeria literacy centres.

Table 5: Effect of Social Media to Learning Process in Literacy Centres

Source: Researchers Survey, 2019

Discussion of findings

Research question one stated how the psychological effect created by the environment affect learning process in adult learning literacy Centre, the finding revealed that 64% of adult learners disagreed to noisy environment during learning at the centres, 83% agreed to being affected by urbanization, 81% agreed to the facilitator engaging in demonstrative method for learning, 87% agreed that adult literacy centres in South West Nigeria should be equipped and 60% disagreed to poor sanitation causing learning problems. The psychological effect created by the environment was supported in the effect environment to learning in the chapter two of this project.

Research question two stated, how caliber or status has affected learning process of clientele in adult education either married, single or divorced. The findings show that 74% of adult learners in South West Nigeria literacy centres agreed to children delay them, 42% disagreed to the divorcees getting to literacy centres on time and them putting efforts to learning, 59% of adult learners in South West Nigeria literacy centres agreed to having lot of responsibilities and tending to place learning las on their priority list.

Research question three, states how experiences and backgrounds of learners has affected learning process among adult learners. Under this research questions, 80% of learners agreed to occupations sometimes affecting their learnings, 70% agreed to their past leading to setback in their learning, 73% agreed to polygamous home affecting them psychologically. Malcom Knowles was in support of this findings. 

Research question four, states age of the learners affects the learning process in the literacy centres of South West Nigeria, 80% agreed to finding it hard to memorize at the age of 40 while 81% agreed to there being an aged person to be learning at that level, and that the brain finds it hard to hold stories, or items where they are kept. ‘Hallam [14] noted that the ability to comprehend new information and to think flexibly improves with age’. Demographical profile in chapter two explains more on these findings.

Research question five, states how social media has affected learning process in literacy centers, 82% of adult learners in adult literacy Centre agreed that poor dissemination of information can affects the facilitators in teaching the adult learners in regards to the turn up of learners, 82% also agreed that social media aids communication and mutual relationship between the facilitator and adult learners in Ibadan north literacy centers.

In conclusion this study has helped to investigate the psychological effect of adult learning process of adult learners in literacy centers in South West Nigeria. This study concluded that adult learners can be affected by their environment, experience, status, age and social media. This factor mentioned earlier can affect the learning process of each learners in a literacy centers in Ibadan north local government.

Recommendation 

From the findings, the study established that adult environment should be placed far away from noisy and unpleasant areas so as to promote adult learning process. Environment is a major psychological effect that can affect adult learning process same as the clientele experiences and backgrounds.

Facilitators in Ibadan north local government should adopt demonstrative method of learning so has the learners would be able to understand faster in the literacy center. Textbooks and other instructional materials should be provided in adult literacy centers in South West Nigeria. Facilitators should know about their learners and how they are faring in the society, the condition they are, their state of being, their psychological problems and medical issues, this can also affect their learning process.

There is need to improve funding to education, the greatest challenge facing adult literacy centres in South West Nigeria till date is the inadequate of funding by the federal government, state and local government. Adult education literacy centers in South West Nigeria suffers under funding, bad roads and a host of others.

There is need to introduce technology to adult learners, this technology can help in reducing stress of the facilitators and helping learners to learn ahead of a particular class and also to create awareness to the clientele or learners in South West Nigeria. The federal government should support work force literacy by developing tax incentives, infrastructural development, and support, public awareness to ensure accessibility of literacy centers to the masses in Ibadan north local government.

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