EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

The term "psychology" is derived Irom two Greek words psyche soul) and logos science or
study). Thus, literally it means study or science oI soul. But now it is no more considered as
science oI soul. It has moved away Irom this Iocus and established itselI as a scientiIic discipline
which deals with the various processes and behavior oI organism. Most oI the contemporary
psychologists agree on a deIinition oI psychology as the scientiIic study oI behavior and mental
processes oI organism. or more deIinitions oI psychology, see Box#1. There are three key terms
in the above deIinition oI psychology which have been clariIied below: Scientific study means
using techniques such as observation, description, and experimental investigation to collect
inIormation and then organizing this inIormation. Mental processes reIer to private and
cognitive process such as attention, perception, remembering memory), problem-solving,
reasoning, decision-making, Ieelings, thinking, motives etc.

What is Educational Psychology?

What are good ways to study? What motivates students? Why are some people better
students than others? How should reading, writing, or arithmetic be taught? Is it better to
study alone or in a group? What makes a good teacher? How can technology be used to
support learning? Does ability grouping help or harm students? Are tests really Iair?
These are examples oI the kinds oI questions that educational psychologists seek to
answer.

Educational psychology is the branch oI psychology concerned with studying how people
learn Irom instruction, and with developing educational materials, programs, and
techniques that enhance learning. Educational psychologists conduct scientiIic research
both to advance theory--such as explaining how people learn, teach, and diIIer Irom one
another--and to advance practice--such as determining how to improve learning.
Although perhaps best known Ior studying children in school settings, educational
psychologists also are concerned with learning and teaching Ior people Irom inIancy
through old age, in school and outside oI school.

Educational Psychology is a combination or overlapping oI two separate Iields oI study;
psychology and education. It is a distinct discipline with its own theories, research methods,
problems and techniques. Educational psychology is distinct Irom other Iields oI psychology
due to its Iocus on understanding the processes oI teaching and learning that takes place in
Iormal environments. Educational psychologists study what people think and do as they teach
and learn a particular curriculum in a particular environment where education and training are
intended to take place. They help in developing instructional methods and materials used to train
people in both educational and work settings. They are also concerned with research on issues oI
relevance Ior education, counseling and learning problems.
Educational psychology deals with behavior oI human beings in educational situation .
This means that educational psychology is concerned with the study oI human behavior or
human personality, its growth, development, guidance under the social process oI education.
Education is possible in human beings; hence, human learning is the central core oI educational
psychology.

What do educational psychologists do?

Educational psychologists work in a wide variety oI settings. Some educational
psychologists work at colleges and universities, oIten in psychology departments or in
schools or departments oI education. These psychologists may teach college courses,
conduct research, prepare prospective teachers and other educators, and/or develop
statistical and research methods. Also at the college level, educational psychologists may
work in study skills programs, instructional improvement programs, and/or curriculum
development projects.
Other educational psychologists work in government, school, military, or corporate
settings, where they participate in training staII, developing and implementing
educational programs, evaluating the eIIectiveness oI educational programs, and/or
analyzing educational data.
Still other educational psychologists work in research and development organizations in
which they develop instructional materials that are grounded in psychological theory
and/or develop educational tests Ior schools, businesses, and many proIessions.

What do educational psychologists contribute to improving society?

Educational psychologists contribute to science and practice. On the scientiIic side,
educational psychologists create new knowledge concerning how people learn,
remember, think, and develop. Research in educational psychology also produces new
inIormation about how people diIIer, what motivates people, how the social context
aIIects learning, to what extent learning ability can be taught, and related topics.
On the practical side, educational psychologists contribute to society by working to
improve education. By developing instruction and educational programs that are based on
psychological theory rather than Iads or unveriIied opinions, educational psychologists
can contribute to the betterment oI all citizens. Educational psychologists contribute to
school eIIectiveness by working to insure that school practices are based on researchbased
principles oI 'what works.

What kind of education do educational psychologists need?

Typically, educational psychologists hold a bachelor`s B.A. or B.S.) degree in Iields
such as psychology, education, or a related Iield, and a graduate degree such as a
doctorate Ph.D.) or a master`s M.A.) in education, psychology, educational statistics, or
a related Iield. In addition, many educational psychologists have had experience working
as teachers, support staII, or administrators in schools.