Educational psychology

The father of psychology is Sigmund Freud.

Psychology originates from two Greek words: psyche (soul) and logos (science or study). Thus, psychology literally means the study or science of the soul.

Definitions of Psychology

1. Psychology is the scientific study of the behavior of an individual – Daniel.
2. Psychology is the science of mental activity of an organism – Guilford.
3. Psychology is a science of human behavior.
4. Psychology is the science that studies the responses which living individuals make to their environment – Murthy.
5. Psychology is the science of behavior and adjustment.

Definitions of Educational Psychology

1. Educational Psychology is the branch of psychology that describes and explains the learning experiences of an individual and the progress in his educational development from birth to old age – Crow and Crow.
2. Educational psychology is the study of the psychological aspects of educational situations – Trow.
3. Educational psychology is that branch of psychology, which deals with teaching and learning. It takes its meaning from education, a social process, and from psychology, a behavioral science – Skinner.
4. Educational Psychology is the discipline concerned with teaching and learning processes; it applies the methods and theories of psychology and has its own as well – Woolfolk (1995).
5. Educational Psychology is the systematic study of the development of the individual within an educational setting.

Definition of Psychological Trait

A psychological trait is a mode of behavior or a collection of certain related modes of behavior, such as intelligence.

Aim of Educational Psychology

The goal of educational psychology is to understand, predict, and control human behavior. Its aims include:

1. Providing students with knowledge and understanding to improve the quality of instruction.
2. Enhancing and enriching the lives of learners.
3. Studying group behavior, environmental adjustments, and the improvement of the environment.

Scope of Educational Psychology in Agricultural Extension

The application of psychology in agricultural extension involves studying human behavior as follows:

1. Identifying the nature and characteristics of learners.
2. Understanding the learning process.
3. Applying principles of teaching and learning processes.
4. Examining human growth and development.
5. Employing effective teaching techniques.
6. Identifying personality traits.
7. Developing and adjusting psychological traits.
8. Measuring and evaluating psychological traits scientifically.
9. Encouraging a scientific attitude toward education.
10. Understanding individual differences in learning rates and limits.
11. Studying inner changes during learning.
12. Relating teaching procedures to learning outcomes.
13. Employing effective techniques for evaluating learning progress.
14. Assessing the impact of formal learning versus incidental learning experiences.
15. Understanding the psychological impact of sociological conditions on learners.

Agricultural extension is an educational discipline aimed at changing farmers’ behavior. Educational psychology is essential for extension agents to understand factors influencing teaching and learning processes.

Importance of Educational Psychology in Agricultural Extension

Educational psychology is crucial in agricultural extension as both deal with human behavior in educational environments. Key points of importance include:

1. Understanding the developmental characteristics of learners.
2. Gaining insight into classroom learning.
3. Appreciating individual differences.
4. Learning effective teaching methods.
5. Addressing learners’ problems.
6. Promoting mental health awareness.
7. Aiding in curriculum construction.
8. Measuring learning outcomes.

Role of Educational Psychology in Agricultural Extension

1. Helps extension agents understand the learner’s interests, attitudes, aspirations, intelligence, and behavior in groups.
2. Focuses on teaching and learning, aiding in formulating training programs and selecting appropriate methods and tools.
3. Supports better education by organizing subject matter, preparing textbooks, and developing assessments for diverse learners.
4. Provides knowledge about heredity and environmental influences.
5. Develops problem-solving skills crucial for both farmers and extension agents.
6. Identifies causes of resistance to new practices, lack of confidence, and factors affecting motivation.
7. Helps understand farmers’ emotions, feelings, and learning processes for adopting new agricultural practices.