The Psychology of Teaching: Beliefs, Behaviour, and Influence

Description

This module examines the psychological research on teachers and teacher influence within classroom environments. Focusing on the intersection of cognition, emotion, and behaviour, EPSY441 explores how teachers’ beliefs, expectations, communication styles, and classroom management strategies shape student learning and well-being. Drawing on theories from educational psychology, the module begins by investigating how teacher expectations affect student achievement and academic self-concept through processes such as attribution, bias, and feedback. Students will then examine how social perception and implicit beliefs about student identity influence instructional decision-making and relational dynamics, particularly in diverse and inclusive classrooms. The course also explores the powerful role of verbal and nonverbal communication in establishing emotional tone, motivating learners, and conveying relational messages. Building on this, students will engage with research on authority, discipline, and the motivational climate of classrooms, with an emphasis on autonomy-supportive practices and the ethical use of teacher power. The module concludes by turning inward, considering how teacher self-efficacy, emotional regulation, and professional identity development affect both classroom practice and teacher well-being. Across all topics, students will apply theory to reflect on their own practice and analyse the psychological foundations of effective, equitable teaching.