educational psychology

American  

noun

1. a branch of psychology concerned with developing effective educational techniques and dealing with psychological problems in schools.

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educational psychology British  

noun

1. the study of methods of training and teaching and their effectiveness, and of the problems experienced in learning formal material; in particular, the study of how to help people, esp school children, with learning problems to overcome their difficulties

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• educational psychologist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of educational psychology

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

Cariaga, whose father was a lawyer, was doing clerical work for an insurance company while preparing to study educational psychology.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026

“When you think of traditional mental health, people are going in and getting fixed,” said Francesca Pernice, a Wayne State University College of Education professor of educational psychology who has studied clubhouses.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 2, 2024

As educational psychology researchers we look at ways to improve how students learn.

From Salon • Apr. 16, 2024

Michael Orosco, professor of educational psychology and one of the study authors, has long researched how English learners perform in schools and the cognitive functions that take part in learning reading, math and other subjects.

From Science Daily • Oct. 17, 2023

Has she had professional training in educational psychology, history of education, methods, and general administration of school work?

From A Guide to Methods and Observation in History Studies in High School Observation by Davis, Calvin Olin