Understanding implicit learning in museums and galleries

Abstract

Implicit learning, learning we are not aware of, or learning which results in knowledge we do not know we possess or cannot articulate, is often considered to be a ubiquitous part of life, and yet is rarely studied in real-world contexts. This paper presents an attempt to research implicit learning amongst museum and gallery visitors, with the ultimate aim being to understand whether implicit learning takes place in the museum and how we might begin to unearth such tacit (silent) knowledge. Examples drawn from interviewees with members of gallery ‘friends’ associations provide evidence that people often possess knowledge they are seemingly unaware of, directly derived from their museum/gallery experiences. The methodology explored here acts as a formative means to study implicit learning and the paper suggests how this might be further developed.