Educational psychology studies the production of learning in educational establishments.
Educational psychology is a branch of psychology whose object of study is the ways in which human learning occurs within educational centers. In this way, educational psychology studies how students learn and how they develop.
It should be noted that educational psychology provides solutions for the development of curricula, educational management, educational models and cognitive sciences in general.
Role of experts in educational psychology
With the aim of understanding the main characteristics of learning in childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age, educational psychologists develop and apply different theories of human development, which are usually considered stages of maturity .
In this sense, Jean Piaget has been an important influence on educational psychology, thanks to his theory that children go through four different stages of cognitive ability during their growth, until they reach abstract logical thinking when they are over eleven years old. .
Lawrence Kohlberg 's moral development and Rudolf Steiner 's model of child development are other key contributions to the development of this psychology.
Educational psychology contemplates the different capacities and characteristics of individuals.
Montessori's contribution
However, in addition to all these authors mentioned, reference to other great figures who also left their deep mark on educational psychology cannot be overlooked. This would be the case, for example, of the Italian educator and psychiatrist María Montessori who managed to give a fundamental turn to pedagogy at the beginning of the 20th century.
Specifically, said woman proposed her own pedagogical method, which has her last name, in which she established that there are four pillars that she fundamentally possesses. These are the adult, the children's mind, the learning environment and the so-called sensitive periods in which any child is more prepared or receptive to acquiring new skills.
Likewise, it is also interesting to emphasize the role played in educational psychology by the American philosopher William James, the psychologist Ann Brown who specialized in memory instruments, the French pedagogue Alfred Binet or the Russian psychologist Lev Vygotski who is well known. as the “Mozart of Psychology”.
Educational psychology and motivation
Educational psychologists take into account the different characteristics and abilities of each person. These differences are enhanced by constant development and learning, and are reflected in intelligence , creativity , motivation and communication skills , for example.
It is important to emphasize that motivation specifically takes on a fundamental role in this psychology that concerns us. And it is essential for learning to take place. Specifically, it is considered that it is influenced by everything from the level of interest that the person in question has to the will that he or she has to proceed with carrying out a task, including the beliefs that he or she has or the aspirations that he or she has in this life and that he or she wishes to achieve. .
There are, on the other hand, numerous possible disabilities in school-age children, such as attention deficit disorder and dyslexia , among many others.