Dennis says <snip>> What social mechanism has the greatest influence on learners? There lies the> problem and the object of our remedies. > I'm not sure if Dennis is implying that learning is influenced by a specific social factor or that social factors play a part in learning. If we are talking about "the factor" that makes "the difference" in a learner's success or failure, I would like for someone to tell me. If we have this information, we can help all students reach their goals. In my area (learning assistance center) I find that if a student is motivated from within (by whatever), he/she will reach a degree of success. If that student is working from outside motivators only, we are doomed. They've got to want to do it!