This report, part 1 of a two-part research and development study on the education of adult educators, deals with the relationship of certain disciplines and fields of study to adult education. Material was obtained by reviewing and integrating recent adult education research with that cited in previous reviews, reviewing recent research in related disciplines and applied fields, interviewing 34 selected leaders in these fields and disciplines, considering statements by professors of adult education, and synthesizing recommendations from a work conference of leading adult educators. Findings pertained mainly to basic contributions of psychology and sociology in such areas as innovation, diffusion, adoption, aging, social class, leisure, adult learning, adult characteristics, motivation, educational methods, and educational leadership. Contributions from anthropology economics, political science, communications, public school and higher education, school administration, social work, vocational and military training, and library science were limited but potentially important. (The document includes 100 references.) (ly)