No influence has more profoundly affected educational thought and practice during the late 19th and early 20th centuries than the science of psychology. This volume discusses the major differences between education prior to the influence of educational psychology and then examines the impact this had on the education of children and the experience of teachers.

The ability to learn is of crucial importance in human life, but understanding this ability has proved to be difficult. There have been many attempts to formulate scientific theories based on both animal experiments and human experience; and these have been applied to education and the treatment of psychological disturbance, with a certain amount of success. Originally published in 1984, this incisive guide to the research and its outcomes provides the background to one of the most debated topics in psychology today. Learning Theory and Behaviour Modification introduces the work of major figures, such as Pavlov and Skinner, which has strongly influenced theories in educational and clinical psychology, and formed the basis of the techniques known as ‘behaviour modification’. As well as giving examples of these techniques the author relates new ideas about the scope and limits of behaviour modification to recent changes in the views of learning theorists. How much can experiments on animals tell us about human psychology?

This book introduces students of education to the elements of educational psychology. It also relates as closely as possible the findings of research to classroom practice. In order to make clear the fundamental processes involved in psychological development, the book starts with a study of the way in which the young child adapts its behaviour to its environment. This study considers some of the key aspects of physical development, mainly the central nervous system. At the same time the way physical growth and psychological development are influenced by the experience of the individual is also discussed. This discussion of development is followed by an examination of the processes of learning, with particular attention paid to the works of Piaget. The salient points of each chapter are brought together in a summary which may be used by the reader to obtain a preliminary overview of the content of the chapter, and as an aid to revision.

Originally published in 1977, this book reports the proceedings of a conference sponsored by the Navy Personnel Research and Development Center. The one common thread running through all of the formal papers and dialogue was that the knowledge a person already possesses is the principal determiner of what that individual can learn from an educational experience. These questions were addressed: How is knowledge organized? How does knowledge develop? How is knowledge retrieved and used? What instructional techniques promise to facilitate the acquisition of new knowledge? The kinds of answers provided are characterized by their as well as by their specificity. Accordingly, the volume should be of interest to both the generalist and the specialist.

Originally published in 1989, this title for the first time in one volume, organized and discussed the fundamental advances in theory, technology, and research methods in educational psychology, at the time. The book provides comprehensive, integrated reviews and discussions of recent advances of the day in such areas as learning, cognition, instruction, and applications to curriculum.

Mini-set E: Educational Psychology re-issues 10 volumes originally published between 1937 and 1991 and examines the impact psychology and cognitive science has had on education and teaching practice during the twentieth century.

Mini-set I: Language & Literacy re-issues 9 volumes originally published between 1971 and 1992. They examine the challenges for teachers in the UK and USA in this field, with a focus on both early years education and adolescent and adult literacy. The volumes encompass elements of developmental psychology and literary theory and together provide a wide-ranging analysis of teaching and learning in the language and literary studies.