By providing a basis for understanding the teaching/learning process, educational

Psychology deals with how people learn. By implication, it emphasizes the need to recognize
diversity among learners. However, it is also true that people share certain common
characteristics. Among these are basic psychological needs which are necessary for individuals
to lead a full and happy life. Teaching and learning are interrelated and psychology cements the
relationship; it provides the theories and principles that influence student, teacher behavior with
in the context of curriculum. For John Dewey, psychology was the basis for understanding how
the individual learner interacts with persons and objects in the environment, and the quality of
interaction determines the amount and type of learning. Ralph Tyler considered psychology to be
a "screen" for determining what our objectives are and how our learning takes place. In short,
psychology in the unifying elements of the learning process; it forms the basis for the methods,
materials and activities of learning and it subsequently serves as the imputes for many circular
decisions. In this section, we shall be talking about the major learning theories and their
contribution to curriculum development. Besides, we shall touch upon the basic psychological
needs of individuals and reflect on their translation into curriculum. We shall at this juncture