Educational Psychology: Definition, Concepts And Theories
Psychology is responsible for scientifically studying human behavior and mental processes. There are several different subdisciplines of psychology that focus their focus on some particular aspect of the human psyche, in order to better understand our behavior and provide tools to improve the well-being of each individual.
One of these subdisciplines is educational psychology (also called educational psychology), which is responsible for deepening learning and the most suitable educational methods so that students can develop their cognitive skills.
Educational psychology: definition and object of study
Educational psychology is a subdiscipline of psychology that is responsible for studying the ways in which human learning is carried out, especially in the context of educational centers Educational psychology analyzes the ways in which we learn and teach and tries to increase the effectiveness of different educational interventions in order to optimize the process. It also tries to apply the principles and laws of social psychology to educational institutions and organizations.
In other words, the object of study of educational psychology is student learning and the different aspects that modulate their cognitive development.
Educational psychology to improve learning
In the school context, educational psychology investigates the best methods and study plans that allow improving the educational model and management of the centers
Their objective being the better understanding of the elements and characteristics that influence learning during childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age, educational psychologists are in charge of develop and implement different theories on human development that help understand the different processes and contexts in which learning occurs.
Theories about learning
Throughout the last century, several authors proposed models and theories to explain the way in which humans relate to knowledge These theories have served to influence the approaches and methods used in educational psychology.
1. Jean Piaget’s Learning Theory
The Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget (1896 – 1980) has exerted a decisive influence on educational psychology. His theory delved into the stages that children go through in relation to their cognitive ability, until they manage to develop abstract logical thinking around the age of eleven. He is one of the greatest references in the field of developmental psychology.
More about Piaget’s Learning Theory by reading this article:
2. Lev Vygostky’s Sociocultural Theory
To what degree do culture and society influence the cognitive development of children? This is the question posed by the Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky (1896 – 1934). Vygostky investigated the influence of the different social environments in which interactions occur that lead the child to assimilate and internalize some behavioral patterns.
Its concepts, such as “zone of proximal development ” and the “scaffolding learning ” are still valid.
Everything you need to know about Vygotsky’s theory, in this summary:
3. Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory
Albert Bandura (born 1925) also developed key concepts for the sociocognitivism and for educational psychology. Bandura analyzed the intimate relationship between contextual and social variables with learning processes. Furthermore, he was the author of concepts of great interest such as selfconcept
There are other theoretical constructs that have also contributed great knowledge to the field of educational psychology. For example, the theory of moral development by Lawrence Kohlberg and the child development model proposed by Rudolf Steiner.
In addition to psychologists who contributed their grain of sand to educational psychology, it is also necessary to mention other authors and figures with decisive weight and who sowed this subdiscipline with knowledge and reflections.
Maria Montessori: a paradigm shift
For example, the case of the Italian pedagogue and psychiatrist is notable. Maria Montessori, which managed to lay completely new foundations in the pedagogy of the early 20th century. Montessori removed the foundations of classical pedagogy by proposing a pedagogical method in which he presented four fundamental pillars for the education of students.
These four pillars on which any learning process is based are: the adult, the student’s mind, the learning environment and the “sensitive periods” in which the child is more receptive to learning new knowledge or skills.
The role of educational psychologists
Educational (or educational) psychologists are in charge of analyzing the various characteristics of each student. This awareness of the individual differences of students serves to try to enhance the development and learning of each of them reflecting in intelligence, motivation, creativity and communication skills, among other aspects
One of the keys: motivation
A motivated student is a student who is much more receptive to acquiring new knowledge and skills It is for this reason that motivation is one of the favorite fields of study in educational psychology. The degree of interest that the teachings in the classroom arouse and the level of involvement of the student in the tasks that they must do depends on motivation. Furthermore, thanks to motivation, the student begins to acquire knowledge through meaningful learning.
Motivation does not only refer to the predisposition to learn in class, but also has a crucial influence on people’s aspirations and goals in their lives
Disorders and difficulties associated with learning
Educational psychologists also have to deal with the problems that some students have in learning at the same pace as their peers. School-age children may present specific difficulties such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or Dyslexia, which negatively affect the cognitive aspects linked to the learning process It will be necessary for the educational psychologist, in agreement with the teachers, to plan a study plan adapted to these cases, trying to minimize the academic impact of these disorders or delays.
However, educational psychologists also have a fundamental role in detect and treat other non-specific problems For example, clinical cases such as students with depressive symptoms, anxiety, or any other type of affectation that requires individualized treatment and, in some cases, curricular adaptation. Other psychosocial problems such as students affected by bullying may also require the intervention of an educational psychologist.
