Emotions and Adult Learning: A Literature Review of Methodological Approaches

Emotions play a pivotal role in adult learning because emotions significantly influence motivation, engagement, and cognitive processes, impacting learning outcomes. Understanding emotional dynamics helps educators create supportive environments and tailored interventions for successful adult learning experiences. This research article contributes to the scholarly discourse on emotions in adult learning through an examination of methodologies used in this field. The rationale for this literature review stems from the need to better understand existing trends in knowledge production within this specialized domain. We conducted a narrative literature review of four prominent journals in the field of adult learning from 2000 to 2023. Our review shows that qualitative methodologies, particularly using interview methods, are preferred. Most studies were conducted in Western contexts, focusing primarily on formal learning environments and with an emphasis on female participants. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating diverse perspectives to fully comprehend the role of emotions in adult learning.