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Presentation Outline
A. An Overview of Educational Psychology B. An Overview of Psychology
1. Schools of Psychology
B. Overview of Psychology
Psychology is the scientific study of
behavior, and mental processes.
Science : it uses systematic methods to observe, describe, predict and explaing behavior. Behavior : can be directly observed.
Mental Processes : thoughts, feelings, and motives experienced privately but cannot be observed directly.
1. Structuralism
Focused on discovering basic elements or structures of mental processes through three dimensions of feelings : pleasure/displeasure, tension/relaxation, and excitement/depression. Used a method of research called INTROSPECTION (observe and report their mental
processses, feelings and experiences).
2. Functionalism
Emphasized on the interaction between the mind and the outside environment. Looked at what was going on in the persons interaction with the outside world.
3. Behaviorism
Observable behavior and not inner experience, was the only reliable source of information. Stressed the importance of the environment in shaping an individuals behavior. Looked for connection between observable behavior and stimuli from the environment. Proponents : John B. Watson, BF Skinner
4. Gestalt
German word means pattern, form or shape. Behavior should be studied as an organized pattern rather than as separate incidents of stimulus and response. The whole is greater than the sum of its part. Proponent : Max Wertheimer
Some Exercises
5. Psychodynamic
Based on the theory that behavior is determined by powerful inner focus, most of which are buried in the unsconscious mind.
The repressed feelings can cause pesonality disturbances, self-desctructive behavior or even physical symptoms.
Proponent : Sigmund Freud
6. Cognitive
Focuses on the mental processes involved in knowing; how we direct our attention, perceive, remember, think, and solve problems. An individuals mental processes are in control of behavior through memories, perception, images, and thinking.
Some Exercises
1. The Nine-Dot Problem 2. The Six-Matchstick Problem
7. Existential
Synthesis of philosophy and psychology. Existence precedes essence.
Core Characteristics :
Being-in-the world
Umwelt ( world around ) Mitwelt ( with world ) Eigenwelt ( own world )
8. Humanistic
Believe that individuals are controlled by their own values and choices and not entirely the environment.
2. Applications in Teaching
The goals of classroom management are to create an environment conducive to learning and to create students self-management skills. Create positive teacher-student and peer relationships, manage student groups to sustain on-task behavior, and use counseling and other psychological methods to aid students who present persistent psychosocial problems.
Man is good. He strives to attain goodness. If he is vile, it is because the path to goodness has been Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi closed to him