Passive Learning From Television

Abstract

Learning is generally conceived as active and purposive behavior, involving motivation, practice, achievement. Here, the authors focus on “passive” learning, on what is “caught” rather than “taught,” and on the processes by which such learning may take place. Passive learning is typically effortless, responsive to animated stimuli, amenable to artificial aid to relaxation, and characterized by an absence of resistance to what is learned, thus opening up possibilities that, depending on one's point of view, one may welcome or deplore.