DOUBLE LOOP LEARNING

Kristine F. Cantilero
Mary Joyce C. Solita
MAT-ENGLISH
CHRIS • Born in Newark, New
ARGYRIS Jersey on July 16,
1923, and grew up in
Irvington, New Jersey.
• A Greek business
theorist, Professor
Emeritus at Harvard
Business School, and
held the position of
“Though Leader” at
Monitor Group.
• Co-founders of
organization
development
• Argyris (1976) proposes double loop
learning theory which pertains to
learning to change underlying
values and assumptions. The focus
of the theory is on solving
problems that are complex and ill-
structured and which change as
problem-solving advances.
• Double loop theory is based upon a
“theory of action” perspective
outlined by Agryris and Schon
(1974). This perspective examines
reality from the point of view of
human beings as actors. Changes in
values, behavior, leadership, and
helping others, are all part of,
and informed by, the actors’
theory of action.
Single Loop Learning vs. Double Loop
Learning

• Argyris bases his theory on the

premise that each of us has a
cognitive map inside our heads-
in other words, a mental script
to deal with problems and
challenges based on previous
experience.
• Working with others including
Donald Schon, Agyris developed
this idea into a theory of
learning. We live and work in a
mode of ‘detection and
correction of error.’
• When we meet a problem, we fall
back on our experience (including
the rules and what we are allowed
to do within them)and attempt to
address the problem from this
mental array of skills and
knowledge – known as out ‘espoused
theory of action.’ we learn to
develop a theory for everything,
and this becomes our way of coping
with change, decision making and
challenges that com our way. –
Single Loop Learning.
• Double Loop Learning, we learn to
think outside of the box. We
learn to examine the problem from
a different angle, perhaps
questioning the rules (what
Argyris calls the ‘governing
variables’), and attempting to
make changes that are more
holistic and wide ranging than
merely solving the problem
itself.
As Argyris and Schon wrote in 1978, ‘Double
Loop Learning’ occurs when the error is
detected and corrected in ways that involve
the modification of an organization’s
underlying norms, policies and objectives.