Importance of Educational Psychology l 15 detailed aims and objectives

Educational Psychology

Educational psychology is made up of the combination of two words – education and psychology.

The literal meaning of educational psychology is – psychology related to education.

Education is related to the refinement of human behaviour while psychology is related to the study of human behaviour. It can be said that E. Psychology studies human behaviour in educational situations.

Modification of Behaviour

Study of Behaviour

Study of Behavior to modify it (Study of Behavior in Educational Setting)

There are differences among scholars regarding the beginning of educational psychology. Some psychologists believe that E. Psychology began from the time of Aristotle and Plato. Skinner (B.F. Skinner) has considered the beginning of E. Psychology from Aristotle (ancient Greek philosopher).

Undoubtedly, Aristotle and Plato, while propounding educational principles, had tried to connect those principles with philosophical psychology, but modern educational psychology originated in the 19th century from the work of European educational philosophers like Pestalozzi, Herbart and Froebel, who worked to make education psychological.

In fact, the beginning of E. Psychology was possible only through Rousseau’s naturalistic approach. He drew the attention of educationists towards the child and emphasized that children should be educated according to their interests, tendencies, abilities and conditions.

Inspired by Rousseau,  Herbart and Froebel made several reforms in the then education system by using psychology in education.

In the beginning of the twentieth century, E. Psychology began to develop as a distinct branch of psychology. [1]

Thorndike is called the first educational psychologist. American educationist John Dewey did important psychological thinking in the field of education and his psychological concepts and conclusions had an unforgettable impact on the education process. As a result, in the present times, educational psychology is accepted as an independent subject.

Importance of Educational psychology

Aims or Objectives of Educational Psychology

Skinner (1962) has defined educational psychology as “educational psychology is that branch of psychology which studies the process of learning and teaching.

– The aim of E. Psychology is to educate learners

– To develop the personality of the child in all aspects and at the same time

– To help teachers understand human nature. E. Psychology helps teachers a lot in understanding the behaviour of students and in giving them proper direction and guidance.

In the absence of knowledge of E. psychology, the position of a teacher is similar to that of a driver sitting in a car whose car has run out of petrol.

The specific objectives of educational psychology can be expressed as follows:-

To help the teachers

The most important objective of educational psychology is to help the teachers in their work. The objective of this psychology is to make the teachers capable of easily carrying the burden of formal education on their shoulders. In this context, the objectives of E. Psychology can be explained as follows:-

1.  Educational psychology helps in creating a proper attitude towards educational problems in teachers. The advantage of this is that the teachers understand correctly which method of teaching would be more beneficial in a given situation and to what extent child-related teaching is important.
2. This psychology helps teachers create an environment for proper behavioral change in learners.
3.  It helps teachers understand learners’ behavior sympathetically. Teachers who analyze learners’ behavior sympathetically and impartially are called successful teachers.
4. It helps teachers understand learners’ weaknesses and failures and make recommendations regarding their remedies.
5. Through E. Psychology, teachers can organize the material they need to give to students in the right manner. With knowledge of this psychology, teachers can select and organize subject matter in the right manner according to children’s abilities.
6. It especially helps teachers perform their role. Knowledge of this psychology helps teachers solve problems arising from their role.
7.  Guidance programs consider individual differences among children. E. Psychology plays a vital role in making teachers aware of these differences.
8.  It helps teachers understand themselves. With knowledge of educational psychology, teachers openly recognize their limitations and take steps to remedy them.

To Impart Proper Educational Guidance:

Educational psychology also provides proper educational guidance to students. Every child has different mental abilities, interests, and aptitudes. Not all children are capable of studying the same subject.

To Make Proper Curriculum:

It helps in preparing a proper curriculum for learners. While preparing the curriculum, E. Psychology specifically guides teachers to consider learners’ mental ability, interest, and aptitude.

To Provide Proper Teaching Methods:

Educational psychologists have made efforts to formulate various study methods, including:

1. Inductive method

2. Deductive method

3. Whole method

4. Part method

5. Play-way method

It  also helps determine which method will be more beneficial in a given situation.

To Help School Authorities and Administrators:

It also helps school authorities and administrators in creating a favorable environment for school operations and education. It helps them to understand the teacher-student relationship.

To Help in Learners’ All-Round Development:

All-round development encompasses mental, physical, and moral development. Educational psychology helps in developing a well-rounded personality in children, enabling them to adjust meaningfully to their educational environment.

To Guide Guardians:

Educational psychology helps not only children’s development but also guides teachers and students.

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