Perry’s Scheme of Epistemological Development
| Perry Position | Knowledge* | Learning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 - Basic Dualism (hypothetical) | Knowledge is right or wrong, a collection of facts. | Receive right answers from authority. |
| 2 - Multiplicity Pre?legitimate | Knowledge is generally right or wrong. Complexity or uncertainty is either an error or a teaching tool. | Authorities are the source of right answers or give us problems so we can learn to find the Truth. |
| 3 - Multiplicity Legitimate but Subordinate | Knowledge is right or wrong, and some knowledge is unknown temporarily. | Authority is the source of answers or the source of method to find the answers. |
| 4 - Multiplicity | Some knowledge is right or wrong, but most is not yet known. Where authorities do not know, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. | Authorities are the source of ways to think. |
| 5 - Contextual Relativism | Most knowledge is contextual and can be judged qualitatively. | Student learns methods and criteria of his/her discipline. Metacognition begins. |
| 6 - Commitment Foreseen | Knowledge is not absolute but student accepts responsibility for making judgments. | Student accepts responsibility for making a commitment based on his/her values. |
| 7, 8 and 9- Commitment within Relativism | Commitments made within a relativistic world as an affirmation of one’s own identity. | Choices made in the face of legitimate alternatives and after experiencing genuine doubt. |
| Perry Position | Knowledge | Learning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 - Basic Dualism (hypothetical) | Knowledge is right or wrong, a collection of facts. | Receive right answers from authority. |
| 2 - Multiplicity Pre?legitimate | Knowledge is generally right or wrong. Complexity or uncertainty is either an error or a teaching tool. | Authorities are the source of right answers or give us problems so we can learn to find the Truth. |
| 3 - Multiplicity Legitimate but Subordinate | Knowledge is right or wrong, and some knowledge is unknown temporarily. | Authority is the source of answers or the source of method to find the answers. |
| 4 - Multiplicity | Some knowledge is right or wrong, but most is not yet known. Where authorities do not know, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. | Authorities are the source of ways to think. |
| 5 - Contextual Relativism | Most knowledge is contextual and can be judged qualitatively. | Student learns methods and criteria of his/her discipline. Metacognition begins. |
| 6 - Commitment Foreseen | Knowledge is not absolute but student accepts responsibility for making judgments. | Student accepts responsibility for making a commitment based on his/her values. |
| 7, 8 and 9- Commitment within Relativism | Commitments made within a relativistic world as an affirmation of one’s own identity. | Choices made in the face of legitimate alternatives and after experiencing genuine doubt. |
* Note. Adapted from Perry (1970).