The Beginnings of Educational Psychology in the Universities of England and Wales

Abstract

This paper analyses the contribution of the early departments of education in England and Wales to the development of the academic study of educational psychology. Based on historical and biographical research in primary and secondary sources, the paper examines European and American influences and the work of important pioneers in the education departments of universities in England and Wales. A discussion follows of syllabuses, textbooks and research, including the importance of the Journal of Experimental Pedagogy. The paper concludes with a comment on the methodology of this research. This paper is intended to promote the general thesis that the application of psychology to education owes more to the work of education departments than to the growing science of psychology.