Introduction

It is an area of understanding concerned with human behaviour, addressing questions of how and why we act as we do. It is not surprising therefore that psychology is regarded as having much to offer to the thinking and professional development of teachers. Salmon (1985) suggests, for example, that:

…all teachers, during their professional training and in their everyday professional practice, are characteristically concerned with issues such as how to engage childrens’ interest and enthusiasm, how to help children who are struggling, or how, through social experience, to build a sense of confidence and resourceful in living.