[Developmental psychology contributions to the life-long learning concept]

Empirical investigations concerning the concept of lifelong learning are described and discussed. The following factors can be regarded as significantly influencing the faculty of learning in adults: (1) the existing level of personality formation, (2) the opportunities of education, training and qualification as provided by the society, (3) personality characteristics exerting an influence upon motivation and psychosomatic maximum stress, (4) maturation and involution processes related to age, (5) central nervous prerequisites for learning processes. Lifelong learning makes possible the application of knowledge and abilities to changing environmental conditions and maintenance of self-regulation during involution and disease processes.