Meaning, Nature and scope of Educational Psychology b.ed notes
Meaning of Educational Psychology
Educational Psychology is an important branch of Psychology. This is made of two words-‘Education’ and ‘Psychology’. It means the Education related to Psychology i.e. it is scientific study of human behavior in the process of Education and it uses Psychological principles in solving the Educational problems. In the words of Skinner– “Educational Psychology takes its meaning from Education, a social process and from Psychology, a behavioral science.” The behavior of man is changed by Education and Psychology is such a science that studies all the aspects of human behavior. In this view, Education and Psychology, both are related to the development of human personality. The basis of Educational Psychology, Psychology deals with the rules and facts of human conduct. In the same way Educational Psychology deals with the specific kind of people, the behavior and conduct of students either getting education in school or outside school. Its scope is extremely narrow and specific. Educational Psychology utilizes procedures of General Psychology for the study of its subject. It deals with the qualities of children, nature and their behavior in educational situation and represents the solution, analysis and explanation of education related problems. In the words of Skinner, “Educational Psychology utilizes those findings that deal specifically with the experiences and behavior of human being in educational situation.”
Educational Psychology studies those processes that affect human behavior. Psychology, not only expounds its principles, but is also tells us how life could be made healthier and prosperous using its principles. Psychological principles are used in dealing with the various problems and situations of daily life. An educational subject is important in this specific field. Since the different principles and the rules of psychology are applied in Educational situations therefore the Educational Psychology is also called the behavioral Psychology.
Definition of Educational Psychology
According to Skinner (1958):
” Educational psychology is that branch of psychology which deals with teaching and learning.”
According to Crow and Crow (1973):
“Educational psychology describes and explains the learning experiences of an individual from birth through old age. “
According to Peel (1956):
“Educational psychology is the science of education.”
Nature of the Educational Psychology
Educational Psychology is an offshoot and part and parcel of Psychology, its nature cannot be different from the main subject. The following points further confirm the nature of Educational Psychology as scientific.
1. Educational Psychology possesses a well-organized, systematic and universally accepted body of facts supported by the relevant psycho- logical laws and principles.
2. It is constantly in search of the truth, i.e. studying the behaviour of the learner in relation to his educational environment. Moreover, the findings of such study are never taken as absolute and permanent. The results of any study in Educational Psychology can be challenged and are modified or altered in terms of the latest explanations and findings.
3. It employs scientific methods and adopts a scientific approach for studying the learner’s behaviour. Setting of hypotheses, objective observation, controlled experimentation, clinical investigation, and generalization based on adequate similar evidences provide enough reasons for its studies to be termed scientific.
4. The processes and products of these studies are sufficiently scientific as a high degree of logical viability, objectivity, reliability and validity is maintained in carrying out the study and research in the field of Educational Psychology.
5. Educational Psychology does not accept hearsay and does not take anything for granted. It emphasizes that essentially there is some definite cause linked with a behaviour and the causes of this behaviour are not related to supernatural phenomena.
6. Educational Psychology is mostly concerned with the “what” and the ‘why’ of happenings in the present instead of caring for the past. Therefore, in its study, it focuses attention on problems like the present behaviour of the learner, the causes of such behaviour, and the repercussions if it were to continue unchanged.
7. It is a positive science rather than a normative science and like the sciences, it does not concern itself with values and ideals. Therefore, instead of answering questions like “what ought to be”, e.g. why education should be provided and what type of education is to be provided to the children, youth or adults, it focuses attention on providing the key to the ‘how’, ‘when’ and ‘where’ of education for proving its worth as a science and technology.
8. The generalizations arrived at and conclusions reached through the study of Educational Psychology are sufficiently reliable and thus like the sciences, these can be used for predictions of behaviour in similar situations. R.B. Cattell, the modern psychologist, believed so much in the predictable quality of these studies that he persisted in defining personality as the attribute which permits a prediction of what a person will do in a given situation.
Scope Of Educational Psychology
The scope of educational psychology is ever-growing due to constantly researches in this field. The following factors will indicate the scope of educational psychology:
1. Human Behaviour-
It studies human behaviour in the educational context. Psychology is the study of behaviour and education aims at modification of behaviour. Hence the influence of Educational Psychology has to be reflected in all aspects of education.
2. Growth and development-
It studies the principles governing growth and development. The insight provided by the study will help in scientifically planning and executing learner oriented programmes of education.
3. The Learner –
The subject-matter of educational psychology is knitted around the learner. Therefore, the need of knowing the learner and the techniques of knowing him well. The topics include – the innate abilities and capacities of the individuals, individual differences and their measurements, the overt, covert, conscious as well as unconscious behaviour of the learner, the characteristics of his growth and development and each stage beginning from childhood to adulthood.
4. The Learning Experiences-
Educational Psychology helps in deciding what learning experiences are desirable, at what stage of the growth and development of the learner, so that these experiences can be acquired with a greater ease and satisfaction.
5. Learning process-
After knowing the learner and deciding what learning experiences are to be provided, Educational Psychology moves on to the laws, principles and theories of learning. Other items in the learning process are remembering and forgetting, perceiving, concept formation, thinking and reasoning, problem solving, transfer of learning, ways and means of effective learning etc.
6. Learning Situation or Environment-
Here we deal with the environmental factors and learning situations which come midway between the learner and the teacher. Topics like classroom climate and group dynamics, techniques and aids that facilitate learning and evaluation, techniques and practices, guidance and counselling etc. For the smooth functioning of the teaching-learning process.
7. Individual differences-
It is universally accepted that every individual differs from every other individual. This idea has been brought to light by Educational Psychology.
8. Personality and adjustment-
Education has been defined as the all-round development of the personality of an individual. If educational has to fulfil this function all instructional programmes have to be based on the principles governing the nature and development of personality.
9. The Teacher-
The teacher is a potent force is any scheme of teaching and learning process. It discusses the role of the teacher. It emphasizes the need of ‘knowing thyself for a teacher to play his role properly in the process of education. His conflicts, motivation. Anxiety, adjustment, level of aspiration etc. It throws light on the essential personality traits, interests, aptitudes, the characteristics of effective teaching etc. so as to inspire him for becoming a successful teacher.
10. Guidance and Counselling-
Education is nothing by providing guidance and counselling required for the proper development of the child. This is very true, especially in the light of the extremely complex and problematic situation one has to face in the fast growing world. Educational psychology has come to the rescue by developing principles and practical measures helpful for providing effective guidance and counselling.
Conclusion –
We can conclude by saying that Educational Psychology is narrower in scope than general psychology. While general psychology deals with the behaviour of the individual in a general way, educational psychology in concerned with the behaviour of the learner in an educational setting.