1

EDCR 241
THE PSYCHOLOGY
OF
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
AND
LEARNING
03/03/2022 DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO, MS. EGGLEY
 2
WEEK 1
• Definition of Psychology
• Myths about Psychology
• Pseudo Psychology
• Branches and Subfields of Psychology
• Definitional of Developmental Psychology and Learning
• Growth, Maturation and Development
• Domains of Development
• Principles of growth and development and its educational implications

DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR.
03/03/2022
AMOAKO, MS. EGGLEY
 3
Core Competencies of the New Curriculum
1. Critical thinking and Problem-solving.
2. Communication and Collaboration.
3. Creativity and Innovation.
4. Cultural Identity and Global Citizenship.
5. Digital Literacy.
6. Leadership and Personal Development.

03/03/2022 DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO, MS.
EGGLEY
 4
What have you heard about Psychology?
What do you know about Psychology?

03/03/2022 DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR.
AMOAKO, MS. EGGLEY
 5
Definition and Meaning of Psychology
• Psychology – comes from the Greek words “Psyche” meaning “mind”
and “logia” or “logos” meaning, “the study of something”.

• Psychology – The scientific study of overt behavior and mental

processes (Coon & Mitterer, 2016)

• Keywords: Science, behaviour, mental processes

• Psychology helps to explain how we think, feel and act both
individually and as a group

03/03/2022
DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO, MS. EGGLEY
 6

Myths about Psychology

• Psychology is about mind or face reading
• Psychology is all about common sense
• People who study psychology are mentally disturbed
• Psychologist work only in hospitals or work with only the mentally ill
• Psychologist have spiritual powers and can foretell the future

DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO, MS.
03/03/2022
EGGLEY
 7
Pseudo Psychology
• It refers to any false and unscientific system of beliefs and practices
that is offered as an explanation of behaviour.

• Examples include:
• Palmistry
• Phrenology
• Graphology
• Astrology

DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS.

03/03/2022 www.yourwebsite.com
KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO, MS. EGGLEY
 8
Branches of Psychology
• Pure Psychology is a theoretical science that seeks to broaden and develop
human understanding.
• Pure psychologists are interested in researching and recognizing processes
and pathways that underlie individual behaviours.

• Applied psychology is practical and seeks to extend and improve the

aspects and phases of human life and behaviour.
• They apply the theories and concepts of psychology to describe,
explain, forecast and control behavior in various fields and industries

03/03/2022 DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO, MS. EGGLEY
 9
Subfields in Psychology

03/03/2022 www.yourwebsite.com
DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO, MS. EGGLEY
 Subfields in Psychology 10

• Clinical Psychology: This field is concerned with applying psychological

theories and principles to help people with mental health or
psychological disorders. They do psychotherapy; investigates clinical
problems; develops methods of treatment
• Industrial/Organizational Psychology: They study organizational
behaviour. They selects job applicants; does skills analysis; evaluates
on-the-job training; improves work environments and human relations
in organizations and work settings
• Educational Psychology: This field investigates or studies classroom
dynamics, teaching styles, and learning; develops educational tests,
evaluates educational programs

03/03/2022 DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO, MS. EGGLEY
 11
Subfields in Psychology
• Social Psychology: Investigates human social behavior, including attitudes,
conformity, persuasion, prejudice, friendship, aggression, helping, and so
forth
• Parapsychology: Parapsychology is a field of study that investigates
paranormal or “psychic" phenomena, including purported mental abilities
such as telepathy and telekinesis. They test the existence and explore the
nature of experiences and abilities in the paranormal realm.
• Forensic Psychology: Studies problems of crime and crime prevention,
rehabilitation programs, prisons, courtroom dynamics; selects candidates for
police work

03/03/2022 DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO, MS. EGGLEY
 12
Subfields in Psychology
• Military Psychology: This field applies psychological principles and
methods to the military environment in the areas of recruitment,
training, socializing, assigning, employing, deploying, motivating,
rewarding, maintaining, managing, integrating, retaining,
transitioning, supporting, counseling, and healing military members.

• Child Psychology: Child psychology is the study of subconscious and

conscious childhood development. Child psychologists observe how a
child interacts with their parents, themselves, and the world, to
understand their mental development.

03/03/2022 DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO, MS. EGGLEY
 13

Developmental Psychology
• This field focuses on human growth and changes across the lifespan,
including physical, cognitive, social, intellectual, perceptual, personality
and emotional growth (APA, 2020).

• Psychologists in this field study how people grow, develop and adapt at dif
ferent life stages.

• They conduct research designed to help people reach their full

potential

03/03/2022 DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO, MS. EGGLEY
 14

DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR.
03/03/2022
AMOAKO, MS. EGGLEY
 15
Goals of Developmental Psychology
• Description – This is to describe behaviours. One should be able
to describe what transpires across the lifespan of the human
organism.
• Explanation – This is to explain behaviour. Why do people do the
things they do? What factors contribute to the child’s way of
thinking and talking?
• Prediction – To make predictions about how one thinks and act to
predict developmental changes. When prediction is successful, it
can help the teacher or psychologist to make guesses
• Change – To help influence and control behaviour to make lasting
changes in people’s lives.

03/03/2022 DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO, MS. EGGLEY
 16
Development
• Development is defined as the orderly and progressive
changes that do occur according to time as organisms move
from conception to death.
• Human development entails growth and maturation.

• Though, people use the words growth and maturation

interchangeably, in Psychology, they are a little different.

03/03/2022 DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO, MS.
EGGLEY
 17
Growth and Maturation
• Growth - It is the physical of development. It is quantifiable. Can be
measured and influenced by genetics.

• Maturation – It is the intellectual or emotional process of development.

Unlike growth, maturation is often not quantifiable and influenced by
genetics.

• It can be said that it is the qualitative change that occurs in an individual

at a particular stage in life for the performance of a certain task.

DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO, MS.
03/03/2022
EGGLEY
 18
Learning
• Learning – It is when a person acquires knowledge or experience.

• Learning requires environmental influence. Therefore, learning is

defined as knowledge gained through study or a change in behaviour
of an individual through experience.

DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO, MS.
03/03/2022
EGGLEY
 Domains of Development 19

• Physical Domain: Changes in body size, proportions, appearance,

functioning of body systems, perceptual and motor capacities, and
physical health.

• Cognitive Domain: Changes in intellectual abilities, including attention,

memory, academic and everyday knowledge, problem solving,
imagination, creativity, and language.

• Socioemotional Domain: Changes in emotional communication, self-

understanding, knowledge about other people, interpersonal skills,
friendships, intimate relationships, and moral reasoning and behavior

DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO, MS.
03/03/2022
EGGLEY
Domains of Development 20

DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO, MS.
03/03/2022
EGGLEY
 21

DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR.
03/03/2022
AMOAKO, MS. EGGLEY
 22
Principles of Human Development and Learning
• There is a set of principles that characterizes the pattern and process of
growth and development.

• Cephalocaudal Principle – This states that development proceeds

from top to bottom.
• A child will gain physical control of their head first. After which the
physical control will move downwards to the arms and to the legs.

• A new born will need support with head. By 2 months, it develops

strength to hold the head. In the next few months, the baby gains
control over the use of the arms.

DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO, MS.
03/03/2022
EGGLEY
 23
Principles of Human Development and Learning
• Proximodistal Principle – Also describes the direction of development.
• This principle states that development proceeds from the center of the
body outward.

• For a fertilized egg, the cell divides and expand outward to become an
embryo.
• Spinal cord forms limbs of the body form before the hands and the feet
and the hands and the feet develop before the fingers and toes.

DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO,
03/03/2022
MS. EGGLEY
 24

DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO, MS.
03/03/2022
EGGLEY
 25
Principles of Human Development and Learning
• Orthogenetic Principle – Does not involve the direction of
development. It states that development proceeds from simple to the
complex.

• This implies that development of more complex tasks begin with the
mastery of simple tasks first.
• Meaning one stage of development lays the foundation for the next
stage of development.

DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO, MS.
03/03/2022
EGGLEY
 26
Principles of Human Development and Learning
• Development is Continuous – development goes on continuously
throughout life. Growth reaches maturity. Even after maturity has been
attained, development does not end.

• Development is Sequential – Every species, follows a pattern of

development to it. This pattern is same for everyone. E.g. A child crawls
before he creeps, stands before he walks and babbles before he talks.

DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO, MS.
03/03/2022
EGGLEY
 27
Principles of Human Development and Learning
• Development proceeds from general to specific – In every type of
development, general activity proceeds specific activity. E.g. infants
after birth are able to make general movements with the eyes, arms
and legs.

• After the perfection of these general movements, infants learn to make

specific movements.

DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO,
03/03/2022
MS. EGGLEY
 28
Principles of Human Development and Learning
• Development is Gradual – Development does not come all of a
sudden. It is cumulative in nature.

• Rate of development varies from person to person – Development

rate is not uniform. Boys and girls have different development rates
and each part of the body has its own particular rate of growth. There
are periods of intensity and equilibrium and there are periods of
imbalance

DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO,
03/03/2022
MS. EGGLEY
 29
Principles of Human Development and Learning
• Development is predictable – Physiological and psychological
potentialities can be predicted by observation and psychological tests

• Growth and development is of both hereditary and influenced by

environmental factors – for e.g. poor nutrition can mare the growth of
an individual. Reduce intellectual abilities and stature.

03/03/2022 DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO, MS.
EGGLEY
 30
Principles of Human Development and Learning
• Most traits are correlated in development – It is known in development
that most of the traits are correlated or related.

• For instance, a child whose mental development is above average, is also

superior in so many other aspects like health, sociability and special
aptitudes.

• A child who has a good health can be active socially and intellectually.
This means that there is constant interaction between all the factors of
development.

DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO, MS.
03/03/2022
EGGLEY
 31

Educational Implications of the Principles

1. The directions of human development, e.g. simple to complex, general
to specific, must be considered in planning activities for the children to
assure satisfaction.

2. Taking into consideration the individual variation in growth, the school

programmes must be adjusted accordingly to suit students variations.

3. Teachers and parents should consider the maturation of the pupils or

students so they do not demand of students what is beyond their stage.

03/03/2022 DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO, MS. EGGLEY
 32

Other Educational Implications

DISCUSS

03/03/2022 DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO, MS. EGGLEY
 33

03/03/2022 DR. AMOS, DR. NAMALE, MRS. AMMAH, MR. MAHAMA, MS. KLUTSEY, MR. AMOAKO, MS. EGGLEY