This symposium on the adult learner consists of three presentations. "Bridging the Gap Between Adult Education and Educational Psychology: Some Important Findings" (Bryan W. Smith) is a report upon a micro-analysis of a case of adults entering tertiary study for the first time and their mental life concerning their own self performance, constructed across four instances. It identifies characteristics of the four participants' covert behavior during their learning in a course on human resource development (HRD). "Mary Parker Follett: Philosopher of HRD" (Leslie DeLaPena Wheelock, Jamie L. Callahan) concludes that Follett is a philosopher of HRD, not only because her ideas support concepts similar to other HRD philosophers but also because she introduces adult learning as paramount for the development of the individual and organization. "The HRD Network as a Means for Adult Learning" (Susan A. Huhta, John A. Niemi) is a study of the HRD Network at Northern Illinois University, an example of nontraditional, informal learning, that determined that HRD professionals successfully conceived and directed their own professional development. All three papers include substantial bibliographies. (YLB)