Merlin Wittrock Explained

Merlin Carl Wittrock (January 3, 1931 – November 28, 2007) was an American educational psychologist.^[1] He received the E. L. Thorndike Award in 1987.

Early life

He was born in Twin Falls, Idaho in 1931. He received a bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Missouri and his PhD from the University of Illinois.^[2]

Work

Generative theory of learning

Wittrock is best known for his generative theory of learning. He first published this theory in 1974.^[3] It is the parent of many current theories of academic motivation.^[4]

Personal life

Wittrock had three children with his wife, Nancy.^[5] He died of heart failure in November 2007 at the age of 76.^[6]

Notes and References

1. Mayer, Richard E. "Merlin C. Wittrock's enduring contributions to the science of learning." Educational Psychologist 45.1 (2010): 46-50.
2. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-dec-08-me-passings8.s2-story.html "UCLA education professor influenced teacher training".
3. Wittrock, Merlin C. "Learning as a generative process". Educational psychologist 11.2 (1974): 87-95.
4. Anderman, Eric M. "Reflections on Wittrock's generative model of learning: a motivation perspective." Educational Psychologist 45.1 (2010): 55-60.
5. Shaena Engle. "Obituary: Merlin C. Wittrock, 76, UCLA professor emeritus of education". UCLA Newsroom, 5 December 2007.
6. https://web.archive.org/web/20160911065047/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G2-3072200268.html HighBeam