1.1 Foundations and Historical Perspectives of Educational Psychology
3 min read•august 7, 2024
Educational psychology blends psychology and education to understand how people learn. It explores key theories like , , and , which shape our understanding of learning processes and inform teaching practices.
This field draws from various disciplines, including sociology and neuroscience. It examines the work of influential thinkers like , , and , who have shaped our understanding of learning and development in educational settings.
Foundations of Educational Psychology
Key Theories and Approaches
Top images from around the web for Key Theories and Approaches
Learning Theories and Learning Domains View original
Is this image relevant?
School Librarian in Action: BA Library Online: Learning Theories and Instructional Design View original
Learning Theories and Learning Domains View original
Is this image relevant?
School Librarian in Action: BA Library Online: Learning Theories and Instructional Design View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Educational psychology applies psychological principles and research to understand how people learn in educational settings
Behaviorism emphasizes the role of observable behaviors in learning and the influence of environmental stimuli on behavior
Focuses on reinforcement, punishment, and shaping to modify behavior ()
involves learning through association between a neutral stimulus and a naturally occurring stimulus
Cognitivism focuses on the mental processes involved in learning, such as perception, memory, and
Emphasizes the role of information processing, schema formation, and metacognition in learning
Piaget's theory of proposes that children progress through stages of cognitive growth (sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, formal operational)
Constructivism posits that learners actively construct their own understanding and knowledge through experiences and reflection
Learners build upon prior knowledge and engage in meaningful, authentic learning experiences
Vygotsky's sociocultural theory emphasizes the role of social interaction and cultural tools in cognitive development, including the concept of the
highlights the interplay between personal factors, behavior, and the environment in learning
occurs through modeling, where learners observe and imitate others' behaviors
, or one's belief in their ability to succeed, plays a crucial role in motivation and learning
Interdisciplinary Nature of Educational Psychology
Educational psychology draws from various disciplines, including psychology, education, sociology, and neuroscience
Integrates research and theories from cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, and social psychology to understand learning processes
Applies findings from neuroscience to inform teaching practices and curriculum design ()
Considers the social and cultural contexts in which learning takes place, drawing from sociology and anthropology
Key Theorists and Contributors
Early Pioneers
William James, often considered the father of American psychology, emphasized the importance of understanding individual differences in learning
Believed in the role of attention, interest, and effort in learning
Advocated for the application of psychological principles to education
John Dewey, a prominent philosopher and educational reformer, promoted the idea of
Argued that education should be centered around the learner's experiences and interests
Emphasized the importance of problem-solving, , and in education
Behavioral and Cognitive Theorists
, a leading behaviorist, developed the principles of operant conditioning
Believed that learning is shaped by consequences, such as reinforcement and punishment
Advocated for the use of programmed instruction and teaching machines
, a Swiss psychologist, proposed the theory of cognitive development
Described the stages of cognitive growth (sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, formal operational)
Emphasized the role of , , and in cognitive development
Social and Cultural Perspectives
Lev Vygotsky, a Russian psychologist, developed the sociocultural theory of cognitive development
Emphasized the role of social interaction and cultural tools in learning and development
Introduced the concept of the zone of proximal development, the difference between what a learner can do with and without guidance
Believed that language plays a crucial role in cognitive development and the internalization of knowledge