Father of Psychology

Sigmund Freud is considered the Father of Psychology. The term “Psychology” originates from two Greek words: psyche (meaning soul) and logos (meaning science or study). Therefore, psychology literally means the scientific study of the soul.

Definitions of Psychology:

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

Definitions of Educational Psychology:

1. Crow and Crow: 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.
2. Trow: Educational psychology is the study of the psychological aspects of the educational situation.
3. Skinner: Educational psychology is that branch of psychology, which deals with teaching and learning. It takes its meaning from education, social process, and psychology, a behavioral science.
4. Woolfolk (1995): Educational Psychology is the discipline concerned with teaching and learning processes; applies the methods and theories of psychology and has its own as well.
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 related behaviors, such as intelligence.

Aims of Educational Psychology:

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

1. To provide students with knowledge and understanding that will improve the quality of instruction.
2. To enhance and enrich the lives of learners.
3. To study group behavior, environmental adjustments, and the improvement of the environment.

Scope of Educational Psychology in Agricultural Extension:

Educational psychology plays a vital role in understanding human behavior, particularly in agricultural extension, where the goal is to influence the behavior of farmers. Key areas include:

1. Identifying the nature and characteristics of learners.
2. Understanding the learning process.
3. Applying principles of teaching and learning.
4. Studying human growth and development.
5. Employing effective teaching techniques.
6. Identifying personality traits.
7. Developing and adjusting psychological traits.
8. Scientific measurement and evaluation of psychological traits.
9. Promoting a scientific attitude toward education.
10. Understanding individual differences in learning.
11. Analyzing the changes occurring during learning.
12. Relating teaching procedures to learning outcomes.
13. Evaluating progress in learning.
14. Comparing formal and informal learning experiences.
15. Understanding the psychological impact of sociological conditions on learners.

Importance of Educational Psychology in Agricultural Extension:

Educational psychology is essential in agricultural extension because both fields aim to influence human behavior. Its importance includes:

1. Helping teachers understand the developmental characteristics of children.
2. Understanding the nature of classroom learning.
3. Addressing individual differences.
4. Identifying effective teaching methods.
5. Addressing children’s problems.
6. Providing knowledge of mental health.
7. Assisting in curriculum construction.
8. Measuring learning outcomes.