Know about the necessity of adopting different methods used to learn about the individual’s behaviour.
Classify the methods into different types.
Describe each method with its merits and limitations.
INTRODUCTION
Educational psychology is an important branch of psychology. It is a subject which emphasizes the application of psychological principles in the field of education. It deals with the behaviour of an individual in the educational environment. According to the “Encyclopedia of Educational Research”, “Educational psychology is the study of the learner and of the learning-teaching process in its various ramifications (branches) directed towards helping the child come to terms with society with a maximum of security and satisfaction”
On main objective of educational psychology is to help a teacher to understand his student’s behaviour in the educative process. A teacher may face different problems in the classroom as well as outside it. It is important that a teacher understands the significance of individual difference and solves the various problems of the classroom. Therefore, in order to achieve the objective of educational psychology some methods are adopted to collect data to know about a learner’s personality.
The first attempt to adopt a method of educational psychology began in the year 1879 by W. Wundt of Germany. In recent years, with the development of technology, researchers have started using new methods of collecting and analyzing data.
CLASSIFICATION OF THE METHODS OF EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
We can see below some of the methods of educational psychology:
2.3.1 Method of Introspection.
2.3.2 Observation Method
2.3.3 Case study Method
2.3.4 Experimental Method.
2.3.5 Interview Method
2.3.6 Differential Method.
2.3.7 Psychoanalysis.
Let us analyse these five methods of educational psychology one by one.
Introspection Method
This is the oldest method of