Psychology in the Training of Future Teachers: The discourses of study texts on selected subjects in psychology

Abstract

Th e contribution deals with the question of the current role of psychology in the training of future teachers. Th e theme is approached through the discourse of the study texts recommended as part of courses in two psychology subjects - social psychology and educational psychology. We used a mixed research approach combining the method of discursive analysis with quantitative analysis of contents and analysis of latent classes. Th e selection of study texts for analysis was made on the basis of the current syllabi of teacher training courses for the 2nd degree of basic school at all education faculties in the Czech Republic. Th e overall number of units analysed amounted to 113 study texts. Discursive analysis led to identifi cation of fi ve qualitatively distinct repertoire constructions that are applied in the discourse of the study texts included in the research. Quantitative contents analysis allowed us to compare the frequency and proportional appearance of these constructions overall and with reference to each psychology subject. Th e results are interpreted with an eye to the broader contemporary context of teacher training and the limitations of the study are also discussed.

Keywords: teaching of psychology, future teacher, concept of training, role, repertoire, genre, discourse, discursive analysis, quantitative contents analysis, analysis of latent classes, textbook, specialist text, text on method.