DR. AUSUBEL’S THEORIES

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28543, 24 March 1958, Page 10

DR. AUSUBEL’S THEORIES

Lecturer Rebukes Opponents

(New Zealana Press Association) WELLINGTON. March 23.

The sweeping denial of charges brought by the American psychologist, Dr David P. Ausybel, against New Zealand secondary education and its possible part in causing some pupils to develop into “bodgies,” did little credit to the scientific reputation of professional educators or the tolerance of laymen. Dr. C. J. Adcock, senior lecturer in psychology at Victoria University said today.

“As an authority of international standing, Dr. Ausubel is able to look at our scene with the freshness of the outsider. His observations are not to be dismissed lightly, as he has spent months of patient study before making these observations. “No amount of blustering denial” would substitute for a set of facts obtained from the properly designed research methods necessary to disprove Dr. Ausubel’s views, said Dr. Adcock. “Until such information can be presented we would do well to allow for the possibility that he may be right. “We need facts and these will not appear from armchair discussion. If the appropriate research is undertaken our educational system is likely to benefit from the findings, whether they support or refute our visitor’s hypothesis,” 'said Dr. Adcock.