Education in Psychological Perspective

Abstract

As a general object of investigation, education is, of course, a great composite of interrelated institutions and events. Consequently, it can be approached from a number of different angles —social, political, religious, economic, psychological, and so on. In this article educational institutions and practices are examined in the perspective of scientific psychology. Unfortunately, much of what is regarded as scientific psychology is contaminated with traditional metaphysics. Accordingly, this analysis is based upon interbehavioral psychology, which rejects venerable but misleading authority in favor of free observation of organisms as they interbehave and develop in contact with environing objects and conditions. Only such a psychological perspective can illuminate the nature and problems of education and educational procedures.