Get summaries, questions, answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDF and guide of Class 11 (first year) Education textbook, chapter 4 (II) Educational Psychology and Its Significance, which is part of the syllabus of students studying under AHSEC/ASSEB (Assam Board). These solutions, however, should only be treated as references and can be modified/changed.
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Summary
Educational psychology, a branch of applied psychology, focuses on studying the problems and behavior of students in educational settings. It applies theories and principles from general psychology to the classroom to improve the teaching-learning process. This field has grown in importance, driven by the need to understand and enhance the educational experience.
Educational psychology is concerned with human behavior in educational settings. Heinrich Pestalozzi, a Swiss schoolteacher, is considered its father. Educational psychology studies the behavior, mental processes, and various factors influencing learning, such as individual differences, interests, and emotional factors. Notably, it aims to apply psychological principles to enhance educational practices.
The scope of educational psychology is broad, encompassing the learner, the learning process, teaching methods, and evaluation. Each learner’s unique qualities and potential impact their academic performance. Educational psychology studies these traits to better understand student behavior and develop effective teaching strategies. Individual differences among learners, including genetic and acquired qualities, play a significant role in their academic achievements. These differences necessitate personalized educational programs to cater to the diverse needs of students.
The environment, including home, classroom, and social settings, greatly influences students’ academic lives. Educational psychology examines these environmental factors to create conducive learning atmospheres. Human development occurs in stages, each with distinct characteristics affecting learning. Educational psychology focuses more on the early stages of life, from infancy to adolescence, studying these developmental traits and their impact on education. The unconscious mind also affects behavior, and educational psychology considers this aspect to understand and address unpredictable behaviors in students.
Various methods are employed in educational psychology to study human behavior and mental processes. The introspection method involves examining one’s own thoughts and feelings to understand others’ psychological states. Despite its limitations, this method provides valuable insights. The observation method studies expressed behavior to infer mental states, with different types of observation used depending on the situation. The clinical method addresses behavioral problems by studying individual cases in detail, while the experimental method involves controlled experiments to understand mental abilities. The case study method investigates individual cases of children with learning or behavioral issues, providing detailed insights for intervention. The sociometric method examines social relationships within groups, helping understand social dynamics in educational settings. Projective techniques explore unconscious thoughts and ideas, though their use requires specialized training. Statistical methods analyze data from psychological tests, ensuring scientific and reliable results.
Educational psychology’s significance lies in its application of psychological principles to education. It aids teachers in understanding students, developing effective teaching methods, and creating suitable learning environments. By studying psychology, teachers can better comprehend students’ nature, developmental stages, mental health, and learning processes. Understanding group dynamics and using appropriate measurement and evaluation tools further enhance teaching effectiveness.
Although educational psychology is an applied branch of general psychology, it differs in scope and application. General psychology studies human behavior broadly, while educational psychology focuses specifically on learners’ behavior. Educational psychology is more practical, applying psychological principles to improve education, whereas general psychology is more theoretical. Additionally, educational psychology is a relatively new field compared to the long-established study of general psychology. These distinctions highlight the unique contributions of educational psychology to the field of education, emphasizing its importance in modern teaching practices.
Textbook questions and answers
Essay type or long questions
(a) What is educational psychology? How does it differ from general psychology?
Answer: Educational psychology is a branch of applied psychology. It studies the behaviour of learners in teaching-learning situations and various mental and emotional aspects of students that influence the teaching-learning process. Educational psychology differs from general psychology as it focuses specifically on the behaviour of learners and their educational needs, whereas general psychology studies human behaviour in a broader context, encompassing various aspects of life beyond education.
(b) Give one important definition of educational psychology? Explain the need or significance of studying psychology in education.
Answer: Peter Sandiford defines educational psychology as “the behaviour of human beings undergoing the process of education. Generally speaking, it deals with the young rather than the old, and with the learning situation of the schools rather than those of the wider environment.” The significance of studying psychology in education lies in understanding the nature of the child, realizing individual differences, understanding developmental characteristics, acquiring knowledge of mental health, understanding the learning process, knowing classroom situations, developing suitable teaching methods, understanding group dynamics, and having firsthand knowledge of measurement and evaluation.
(c) Discuss the areas of study of educational psychology.
Answer: The areas of study of educational psychology include:
- The learner: Studying the nature and behaviour of learners in relation to education.
- Individual differences: Understanding genetic and acquired qualities that impact behaviour and academic performance.
- Role of environment: Examining how home, classroom, and social environments influence students.
- Developmental characteristics: Studying characteristics at different stages of growth (infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood) and their impact on teaching-learning processes.
- Unconscious mind: Investigating the unconscious mind’s role in behaviour.
- Methods of teaching/learning: Studying principles and effectiveness of various teaching/learning methods.
- Measurement and evaluation: Assessing mental abilities and academic achievement scientifically.
- Guidance and counselling: Offering support for students, teachers, and parents through guidance and counselling.
(d) Discuss in brief why the study of psychology is essential for a teacher.
Answer: The study of psychology is essential for a teacher because it helps in understanding the child, realizing individual differences, understanding developmental characteristics, acquiring knowledge of mental health, understanding the learning process, knowing about classroom situations, developing suitable teaching methods, understanding group dynamics, and having firsthand knowledge of measurement and evaluation. This understanding enables teachers to cater to the needs of learners effectively, create conducive learning environments, and adopt appropriate teaching strategies.
(e) Discuss a few methods of educational psychology.
Answer: A few methods of educational psychology include:
- Introspection: Examining one’s own feelings and thoughts to understand psychological processes.
- Observation: Studying human nature by observing expressed behaviour in various situations.
- Clinical method: Studying behavioural problems of maladjusted individuals through intensive case studies.
- Experimental method: Conducting controlled experiments in laboratories to study mental abilities.
- Case study method: Investigating individual cases, especially those with learning difficulties or behavioural problems.
- Sociometric method: Studying social behaviour and relationships within a group using questionnaires.
- Projective method: Uncovering unconscious thoughts and ideas through techniques like inkblot tests and thematic apperception tests.
- Statistical method: Analyzing psychological test results using statistical procedures.
Short question
i. Educational psychology is positive science.
Answer: Educational psychology aims to study different mental processes and behaviours of individuals using various scientific methods, making it a positive science.
ii. Educational psychology is an applied branch of psychology.
Answer: Educational psychology is a branch of applied psychology because it applies the principles and findings of general psychology to the field of education.
iii. Educational psychology does not study behaviour of adults.
Answer: Educational psychology primarily deals with the young rather than the old, focusing on the learning situations in schools rather than those of the wider environment.
iv. Write in brief on the method of Observation.
Answer: Observation is a method in which an individual’s mental condition is studied through their expressed behaviour in various situations. It includes types like direct and indirect, natural and artificial, planned and unplanned, and participant and non-participant observations. This method is scientific, reliable, and useful for research, though it may not always provide a complete picture of an individual’s mental state.
v. Why Pestalozzi is called the father of educational psychology.
Answer: Heinrich Pestalozzi is regarded as the father of educational psychology because he was one of the first to emphasize the application of psychological principles in the field of education.
vi. Give the advantages and disadvantages of Projective techniques.
Answer: Advantages of projective techniques include their ability to externalize inner thoughts and ideas, help psychiatrists diagnose and treat mental disorders, and provide a complete picture of an individual’s personality. Disadvantages are their subjectivity, the necessity for special training to administer, and being time-consuming and difficult to interpret.
vii. Briefly explain why a teacher should know both about the learner and the subject of study.
Answer: A teacher should know both about the learner and the subject of study because understanding the child’s nature, developmental characteristics, and individual differences helps in effectively delivering education tailored to each learner’s needs. Knowledge of the subject ensures that the teacher can provide accurate and thorough instruction.
Fill up the blanks
(i) The Person who first tried to psychologize education was ____________.
Answer: Pestalozzi
(ii) Modern education is child ____________.
Answer: centered
(iii) Educational psychology is an ____________ Science.
Answer: applied
(iv) The aims of education are not determined by ____________.
Answer: psychology
(v) The great classic on Education by Rousseau is ____________.
Answer: Emile
Find whether true or false
(i) The aim of education is determined not by psychology but by philosophy.
Answer: True
(ii) Projective methods is used to study external behaviour of a child.
Answer: False
(iii) Social behaviour can be studied by Experimental method.
Answer: False
(iv) Educational psychology studies human behaviour of all ages.
Answer: False
(v) Education and psychology is complementary to each other.
Answer: True
Extra fill in the blanks
1. Heinrich Pestalozzi is regarded as the father of ______.
Answer: educational psychology
50. Clinical methods in educational psychology study cases to detect problems and suggest ______ measures.
Answer: remedial
Extra questions and answers
1. What is educational psychology?
Answer: Educational psychology is a branch of applied psychology. Heinrich Pestalozzi, a Swiss school teacher, is regarded as the father of educational psychology. Educational psychology consists of two words – education and psychology. Therefore, it can be understood that it is that branch of psychology which is very much related to education. It has developed as a result of the application of theories and other findings of general psychology to the field of education. It is hence described as psychology of learning.
61. Which discipline is older, psychology or educational psychology?
Answer: Psychology is an older discipline compared to educational psychology, which is a comparatively new discipline.
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