A Brief History of Educational Psychology

Summary

This video provides an overview of the history of educational psychology, focusing on key 20th-century developments in the USA. It highlights the differing views of pioneers like John Dewey, who advocated for a holistic, community-focused approach to education, and Edward Thorndike, who emphasized scientific methods and standardized practices. The video also explores the shift from traditional, teacher-directed methods to more student-centered, constructivist approaches in recent decades, drawing parallels to modern frameworks like the Search Institute’s 40 developmental assets aimed at fostering well-rounded students.

Takeaways

• 😀 Educational psychology began in the early 20th century in the USA, with key figures like John Dewey and Edward Thorndike shaping the field.
• 😀 John Dewey emphasized that schools should not only educate children but also serve as community hubs for social and democratic participation.
• 😀 Dewey believed that education should foster the development of social skills, empathy, and scientific inquiry for holistic growth.
• 😀 Edward Thorndike focused on studying human behaviors and how education could efficiently develop intellects, character, and skills.
• 😀 Thorndike believed that educational psychology should be grounded in empirical methods and focus on the materials, methods, and biological influences on learning.
• 😀 Thorndike's approach led to an industrialized, standardized education system focused on measurable outcomes and teacher-directed practices.
• 😀 The mid-20th century saw the rise of standardized assessments, influencing a dominant instructivist model of education.
• 😀 In response to leveling high school graduation rates and declining achievement, there was renewed interest in Dewey's more student-centered ideas.
• 😀 The Search Institute developed a framework of 40 developmental assets, focusing on the environmental and internal factors necessary for youth development.
• 😀 The framework contrasts with traditional approaches, emphasizing both external support and internal competencies like academic motivation and social skills.
• 😀 The modern educational psychology landscape explores both teacher-centered (instructivist) and student-centered (constructivist) approaches, highlighting when each is appropriate.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video on educational psychology?

The main focus of the video is on the history of educational psychology, particularly key events in the field during the 20th century in the USA. It highlights contributions from important figures like John Dewey and Edward Thorndike.

Who are the two early pioneers mentioned in the video and what were their contributions to educational psychology?

The two early pioneers mentioned are John Dewey and Edward Thorndike. Dewey focused on holistic education, emphasizing the development of emotional, social, and thinking skills in children for democratic participation. Thorndike, on the other hand, had a more mechanical approach, focusing on studying human behaviors, materials, and biological factors to develop efficient educational methods.

What did John Dewey believe the primary aim of school should be?

John Dewey believed that the primary aim of the school should be to prepare children and youth to live and participate in a democracy. He emphasized the importance of developing not just individual skills but also social and emotional competencies to foster a healthy society.

What are the three key attributes Dewey emphasized in education?

Dewey emphasized the development of three key attributes: affections (emotions like empathy and social values), social skills (important for relationships and careers), and thinking skills (used in scientific inquiry and investigations).

How did Dewey view the role of the school in society?

Dewey viewed the school as a central institution in the community, not only for educating children but also for offering opportunities for adults to improve their lives. He saw schools as places where both youth and adults could participate in shaping and maintaining democratic society.

What was Edward Thorndike’s approach to educational psychology?

Edward Thorndike's approach to educational psychology was more focused on a scientific and systematic study of human behavior, intellect, and development. He believed that education could be improved by studying human biology, behaviors, and materials, and using psychological methods to guide the learning process.

What are the four elements Thorndike believed educational psychology should address?

Thorndike identified four elements: the aims of education, the materials available for learning, the means by which development occurs, and the methods of education that should be guided systematically through psychology and empirical research.

What is the main educational approach that emerged from Thorndike's ideas?

The educational approach that emerged from Thorndike's ideas is called 'instructivism,' which is a teacher-directed approach to teaching. It involves standardized and explicit instruction, emphasizing systematic, empirical methods of education.

How did the approach to education change in the latter half of the 20th century?

In the latter half of the 20th century, there was a renewed interest in educational methods that reflected John Dewey's ideas, particularly with a focus on student-centered approaches and a move away from rote memorization. Though standardized testing persisted, there was an increased emphasis on writing, thinking, and the holistic assessment of students.

What are the 40 developmental assets outlined by the Search Institute, and how do they relate to Dewey’s ideas?

The 40 developmental assets are divided into external and internal categories. External assets focus on support from the environment (e.g., family, adult relationships, opportunities for empowerment), while internal assets focus on individual competencies and values (e.g., self-esteem, academic motivation, cultural competence). These align with Dewey's holistic, student-centered approach, which emphasizes developing the whole child.