Contribution of Psychology to Education

Contribution of Psychology to Education

There was no denying that the field of psychology has long been used as a cornerstone of education in development theory and practice of education and has contributed greatly to education, including the development of curriculum, learning and assessment system.

1. Contributions to the Educational Psychology Curriculum Development.

Review of educational psychology in relation to curriculum development, especially with regard to understanding aspects of behavior in the context of teaching and learning. Apart from the various schools of psychology that characterizes education, in essence, a psychological study gives attention to how the new input, process and out of education can be run by not ignoring aspects of behavior and personality of the learner.


Psychologically, humans are unique individuals. Thus, psychological studies in curriculum development should consider the uniqueness of every individual, both in terms of level of intelligence, abilities, attitudes, motivations, feelings and characteristics, other individual characteristics.

Education curriculum should be able to provide an opportunity for individuals to develop according to its potential, both in terms of subject matter and methods of delivery.

Specifically, in the context of education in Indonesia today, which developed the current curriculum is competency-based curriculum, which emphasizes on developing the knowledge, skills, and basic values ​​are reflected in the habit of thinking and acting. Habits of thinking and acting consistently and continuously enable one to become competent, in the sense of having the knowledge, skills and values ​​fundamental to do something.



Thus in the development of competency-based curriculum, especially with regard to the psychological study of aspects: (1) students 'ability to do things in different contexts, (2) students' learning experience, (3) learning outcomes (learning outcomes), and (4) standardization student's ability

2. Contribution of Educational Psychology of Learning System

Review of educational psychology has spawned various theories underlying the learning system. We know of some theories of learning, such as classical conditioning theory, connectionism, operant conditioning, gestalt, power theory, cognitive theory and theories of learning. Regardless of the controversy that accompanies the weakness of each theory, in reality these theories have contributed significantly in the learning process.

In addition, the study of educational psychology has spawned also a number of principles that underlie learning activities Nasution (Daeng Sudirwo, 2002) explores the thirteen principles of learning, namely:
1.Agar a really learn, he must have a purpose
2.Tujuan it must arise from or relate to their needs rather than imposed by others.
3.Orang must be willing to experience various difficulties and strive diligently to achieve a worthwhile goal for him.
4.Belajar it should be evident from the change in his behavior.
5.Selain principal objectives to be achieved, obtained also by-product.
6.Belajar more successful by doing or making.
7.Seseorang learning as a whole, not just the intellectual aspects but also include aspects of emotional, social, ethical and so on.
Someone needs help and guidance from others.
8.Untuk study is needed insight. What is learned to be completely understood. Learning is not just memorizing facts is verbalistis loose.
9.Disamping pursue the real purpose of learning, one-t.ujuan often pursue other objectives.
10Belajar more successful, if the attempt to give a pleasant success.
11.Ulangan and training need but will have to be preceded by the understanding.
12.Belajar only possible if there is a willingness and desire to learn.

3. Contribution of Educational Psychology of Assessment System

Assessment of education is one important aspect of education in order to understand how far the level of educational success. Through the study of psychological development of behavior we can understand what is obtained by learners after attending a particular educational activity or learning.
In addition, psychological studies have provided a real contribution in the measurement of the potential of every learner, especially after the development of various psychological tests, both to measure the level of intelligence, aptitude and individual personality lainnya.Kita know a number of psychological tests that are currently still widely used to measure the potential of an individual, such as the Multiple Aptitude Test (MAT), Differential Aptitude Test (DAT), Epps and other measuring devices.
Understanding of intelligence, talents, interests and other aspects of personality through psychological measurement, has significance for efforts to develop the individual education process so that in turn can be achieved optimal development of the individual.

Therefore, the importance of mastering the psychology of education for the teachers in carrying out their professional duties.