PSYCHOLOGY OF EDUCATION Question: 1. What is psychology of education? 2. Mention the branches of schools of thought in psychology 3. Why do we study psychology?

Solution: 1. Psychology of education has been defined by : The Wikipedia as the study of how humans learn in educational settings, the effectiveness of educational interventions, the psychology of schools as organization. It has also been defined as the application of psychological principles, techniques and other resources of psychology to the solution of educational problems confronting teachers and learners in educational settings 2. The various Schools of thought in psychology represent the major theories within psychology, and are discussed below. i. Biological perspective

The psychological model behind this school of thought in psychology studies the role of biological functioning to shape the behavior, thus pronouncing the realm of the biological perspective. ii. Psychodynamic perspective

Sigmund Freud was the founder of psychodynamic approach. This psychological model believes that human behavior is controlled by inner forces over which the individual has little power and has little awareness. This school of thought in psychology laid emphasis on the influence of the unconscious mind on behavior. iii. Cognitive perspective

This school of thought in psychology is based on the notion that behavior is controlled by the way we know, comprehend and reflect the world. This branch of psychology studies mental processes including how people think, recognize, remember, and learn. iv. Behavioural perspective

This model believes that the external surroundings and environmental causes is the major factor in shaping the behavior of an individual. Behaviorism became the main school of thought in psychology during the 1950s. v. Humanistic perspective

Under to this school of thought in psychology, people have full control over their lives and are solely accountable for shaping their thoughts, ideas, behavior and attitude. This perspective developed as a response to psychoanalysis and behaviorism. vi. Gestalt perspective

This approach to psychology has its origin in Germany and Austria during the late 19th century. According to the gestalt thinkers, the whole is much bigger and superior than the sum of its parts and one must look at the whole of experience, rather that splitting down the thoughts and behavior to their smallest units. 3. We study psychology for numerous reasons, among which are the following: i. ii. iii. iv. To understand our behaviours and those of others To explain behaviours in its various form and variants To predict behavior before it probably occurs To control behavior in any given situation