Why do we need psychology? / What is educational psychology?

Refers to an area of applied psychology that uses psychological theories and techniques to
consider how we think and learn, and how we can address the learning needs of students.

A key feature of psychology as a discipline is its emphasis on developing theories about

human behaviour and carrying out investigations to test and modify them.

Theory is a way of
trying to explain as Hypothesis is when you make a
simply as possible prediction about your theory, is a

➡️
what we know, or non verified theory. You have to
think we know about investigate and collecting data to
a particular area. support that hypothesis.

Things to keep in mind when you want to select groups:

Levels of knowledge
Kinds of abilities
Ages
Interestings
Ways that they learn
Correlations between them

Emotionalist model is primarily interested in looking at a situation from an individual’s point

of view, and is interested in perceptions and emotional reactions to situations.
Constructionist model, which emphasizes what people are doing, without necessarily
dwelling on the reasoning or emotions behind those actions.
Quantitative approach: It is objective, deductive, based in numeric quantification and
generalization of results
Qualitative approach: It is in general without qualification
Qualitative and quantitative approaches are closely related. Most quantitative research
involves qualitative decisions about which variables to study and about what are appropriate
techniques to analyze the data.

Applying psychology to education can generate alternative ways of approaching problems.

Each of the perspectives generates a very different way of understanding the behaviour of
children in school.
Psychology also tries to account for the ways in which children establish basic abilities such
as reasoning, problem-solving and language use.

Quantitative and qualitative approach

1. Quantitative Limitations: Education research oversimplifies with quantitative
measurements, distorting complexity.

2. Educational Complexity: Children, teachers are more than numbers; different skills require
varied assessments.

3. Qualitative Approaches:Capture rich info through direct observations, providing a closer

reality understanding.

4. Grounded Theory: Qualitative research builds theories from gathered information.

5. Models of Qualitative Research: Emotionalist (individual perspectives) and constructionist

(emphasis on actions).

6. Qualitative-Quantitative Relationship: Both closely related, with decisions influencing each

other.

7. Quantitative Analysis: Researchers use stats for psychological data, crucial for critique.

8. Significance Misconception: Relying solely on stats doesn't guarantee real-world meaning;

understanding prevents misinterpretation.

9. Qualitative Data:Involves recordings, narratives; analysis identifies key themes, modifies

categories.

10. Flexible Qualitative Analysis: Adjust categories based on insights; validation through
triangulation or replication.

11. Social Constructs: Qualitative categories are social constructs, capturing subjective
experiences.

12. Subjective Interpretation: Qualitative researchers value subjective interpretation,

recognizing its significance.