ABSTRACT
One of the major directions along which development proceeds is towards greater autonomy. Movement away from the absolute dependence of early infancy and toward the relative independence of adulthood is the universal path along which all persons must travel. Most developmental psychologists and educators assume that there are natural or inherent tendencies that can be found in every child, which lead him or her in the direction of decreased heteronomy and greater self-direction (for example, Dewey, 1938; Bruner, 1962; Rogers, 1969; Piaget, 1971). However, once that is assumed, the practical question remains of identifying and creating those conditions which facilitate rather than forestall this process.
