Educational Psychology is the scientific study of learning and teaching with the goal of improving educational practice. Educational psychology integrates findings from the following areas of psychological research:

• Learning, including cognitive and constructivist theories of learning.
• Motivation, such as the differences between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation as well as the relationship between setting goals and achievement.
• Cognitive Abilities, such as the hierarchical theory of intelligence.
• Development, including cognitive development as well as social and emotional development.

Educational psychology also examines the effectiveness of teaching practices such as the following.

• Teaching strategies that result in beneficial educational outcomes such as academic achievement and intrinsic motivation.
• Fostering effective teacher-student relationships.
• Strategies of teaching self-regulation skills so students can monitor their own learning process.
• The effect of teachers' beliefs on their teaching practices.