Educational psychology is one of the many branches of the science of psychology. It is an applied science which deals with the principles of general psychology to interpret or verify the behaviour of those who are undergoing the process of education. In the words of Peel, “educational psychology is the science of education and helps the teacher to understand the development of his pupils, the range and limits of their capacities, the process by which they learn, and their social relationships”. Thus, in spite of being applied science, educational psychology has a particular field of study and an area of operation of its own which perhaps general psychology does not have”.
Education should aim at the modification of behaviour. Behaviour includes physical (reading, writing, speaking, playing etc.) mental (perceiving, forming concepts, imagining, thinking, reasoning etc.) and emotional (affection, love, anger, hatred etc.) aspects. Education takes note of all the three aspects and directs guides and moulds the behaviour. Behaviour of a child is moulded in school. Thus, “school exists for the sake of the child’s physical, mental and emotional development and for the cultivation of intellectual powers and for promoting social adjustment”. K.Kumaraswami.
Educational psychology deals with the study of the behaviour of individuals and groups undergoing the process of education in educational institution. It focuses upon:
- Growth and development (the physical, intellectual, emotional and social) etc.
- Principles concerning the process of learning such as those relating to motivation, interest, practice and drill, memory, habits, transfer of training and so on.
- Individual differences regarding intelligence, attitudes, temperament, personality traits, rate of learning and other acquired or innate capacities and abilities, attitude, aptitude etc; the distribution of psychological characteristics among the individuals and groups, and the analysis of differential needs etc.
- Group dynamics and social cohesion etc.
- Problems of adjustment and mental hygiene.
- His conscious and unconscious behaviour.
Educational psychology also covers two other important areas.
- Educational tools such as intelligence test, aptitude test, personality test and interest inventory. These tests are useful for the diagnosis of mental deficiency which is valuable for recording the progress of children and for classification of pupils as well as for preparing differentiated curriculum.
- The techniques of research for increasing accuracy of general observation in children.
Educational psychology revolves round five important factors such as learning, learning experiences, learning process, learning situations and teacher.
With regard to learning, it helps to study the innate abilities and capacities, the overt, the covert, conscious as well as unconscious behaviour of the learner and growth and development of the learner at each stages of development.
Educational psychology helps in deciding the kinds of learning experiences desirable at different stages of growth and development of the learner.
It facilitates to know the nature of the learner and design the curriculum that include topics such as laws, principles and theories of learning, remembering and forgetting, perceiving, concept formation, thinking an reasoning process, problem solving, different ways and means of effective teaching and learning etc.
For the proper understanding and smooth functioning of the teaching – learning process, educational psychology covers topics like classroom climate, group dynamics, techniques and aids which facilitate learning, evaluation techniques and practice and guidance and counselling etc.
Educational psychology also plays a vital role in inspiring a teacher by emphasising him to know his self to become an effective teacher. It helps to discuss his conflicts, motivation, anxiety, adjustment, level of aspiration, interest, aptitudes etc. Thus educational psychology helps a teacher to become a successful teacher.
As a science of education, it provides principles and techniques necessary for better teaching for a teacher and learner for better learning.
Educational psychology helps the teacher to have an idea of the classroom climate and also to decide about the types of learning experiences or learning materials to be provided and also to organize or grade the learning experiences.
Educational psychology suggests the methods or techniques useful for all kinds of learners under different circumstances. A teacher should use a proper method or device depending upon the learning situation.
Educational psychology helps the teacher by the way of rendering guidance to his pupils by diagnosing the abilities, interests and aptitudes of his pupils. As the teacher knows the methods of behavioural assessment and appraisal, he can have an idea of the direction and speed of their development, and show them the right direction for their overall development.
It is necessary to evaluate the students after the teaching – learning process is over. It is important to examine the behavioural changes occurred in them. Educational psychology as applied behavioural science makes the teacher well-equipped in the tasks of evaluation with professional skill by way of evaluation, measurement and appraisal of the student.
Educational psychology helps the teacher to solve the actual classroom problems by way of knowing the characteristics of problem children, the dynamics of the group, behavioural characteristics and adjustment etc. It helps the teacher in all the phases of teaching-and learning, formal or informal, curricular or co-curricular.
Knowledge, principles, theories and techniques of educational psychology helps also the learner to a great extent. Educational psychology helps the learner in the task of knowing one self. It helps to know about themselves with regard to their abilities and capacities, interests and aptitudes, likings and disliking, attitudes and disposition etc.
Teaching and learning are the main process of education and pupil (learner) is the key figure in this process. Therefore, it is proper to define educational psychology as the study of behaviour and experiences of the learner in response to educational environment. Skinner defines it as, “Educational psychology is the branch of psychology which deals with teaching and learning”.
REFERENCES
Peel,E.A., The Psychological basis of Education, Oliver & Boyd, London. 1956
Skinner,C.E., Essentials of Educational Psychology, Engelwood Cliffs, Prentice Hall, New Jersey. 1958
Kumaraswami, K., Foundations of Educational Psychology, St. Joseph’s Printing house, Tiruvalla. 1949