Il paradigma psico-sociale e la pedagogia

Abstract

The three parts of this essay explore the relation between social psychology and educational sciences. Firstly, the development of social psychology in Anglo-Saxon countries is considered.
Starting from Wundt’s position, it is emphasized that social psychology has gradually derived its methodology from individual psychology, losing the peculiarity of its own subject matter. Secondly, an analogy is drawn between this trend and the methodological debate within educational inquiry. It is argued that, to conform to an “ideal” of scientific methodology, education sciences may end in focussing only on instrumental objectives, ignoring its true aim, namely the development of humanity in one’s own person. Finally, in light of this, the notion of “care” in education is used for critically evaluating the socio psychology’s contribution to educational sciences