Educational psychology's first century.

Abstract

Educational psychology mediates between the disciplines of psychology and education. Scholars have seldom agreed on a single definition of the field but have incorporated knowledge from several areas. The discipline of educational psychology was fostered primarily in the United States by such eminent psychologists as William James, Edward L. Thorndike, and James McKeen Cattell. Over the past century, several philosophical and scientific movements influenced the field, the most recent example being cognitive theory. In 1990, the first extensive citation analysis was conducted, illustrating the field's increasing maturity and diversity. Educational psychologists have many opportunities to shape policy during the current period of national educational reform