Certain psychological constructs, which appear beneficial, are used to explain or change student behaviour, which then have unintended, negative consequences. This book is for educators, researchers, policy-makers, and even parents as visions for ideal selfhood circulate in parenting guides as well as education policy.
Exploring the intersection of psychology and education, Stephen Vassallo argues that educational psychology is influenced by ideological, cultural, political, and historical contexts. He critiques the field for its lack of critical appraisal, emphasizing that the psychology of learning is not neutral or value-free. By addressing these contextual factors, Vassallo aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of human learning, thinking, and behavior within both formal and informal educational settings.
This book proposes a framework for critically examining dominant and taken- for-granted ideas in educational psychology, then applies that framework to the examination of Self-regulated learning (SRL) to show how it endorses middle-class conventions, aligns with neoliberal logic, and renders individuals subordinate to oppressive educational structures.