Understanding Children's Development (Basic Psychology) - Softcover

Smith, Peter K.; Cowie, Helen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0631177922 ISBN 13: 9780631177920

Publisher: Blackwell Pub, 1991

Synopsis

This second edition of "Understanding Children's Development" provides an overview of child development for those new to the study of psychology. Revised and updated to take account of new research, it includes two completely new chapters - "Becoming Socially Aware" and "Learning in Social Context". Its opening section orientates the reader to the way in which psychologists study developmental processes and surveys the biological and evolutionary background of behavioural development. Substantial new material in Chapter Two reviews the recent work in "mindreading" in primates, which links to similar work on theory of mind in children (discussed later in the book). "Understanding Children's Development" goes on to consider all of the major aspects of development including social, moral and cognitive development. Emphasizing the strengths and weaknesses of different kinds of psychological research, the authors give a sense of developmental psychology by describing in each chapter particularly important and revealing case studies. They also include ideas for classroom discussion and examples of practical exercises.

About this title

Book Description

This leading child development text has been widely acclaimed for its international coverage and its rigorous research-based approach. It begins by introducing the ways in which psychologists study developmental processes before going on to consider all major aspects of development from conception through to adolescence. For the fourth edition, the entire text has been updated to take account of recent developments in the field. Major revisions include: a new chapter on prenatal development and birth coverage of a range of theoretical perspectives - from evolutionary developmental psychology to cultural-ecological and social-constructionist viewpoints extensive new material on developments in attachment theory extended discussion of implications of the social contexts of learning for cognition and education Each chapter provides lucid discussion of the material, enlivened by the inclusion of revealing case studies, and ideas for classroom discussion. Throughout the text the practical and applied implications of developmental research are emphasized and discussed. Useful online support material, including multiple choice questions, to accompany this text is available at http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/ucd.

From the Back Cover

This leading child development text has been widely acclaimed for its international coverage and its rigorous research-based approach. It begins by introducing the ways in which psychologists study developmental processes before going on to consider all major aspects of development, including biological, social, moral and cognitive components.

For the fourth edition, the entire text has been updated to take account of recent developments in the field. Major revisions include:

coverage of a range of theoretical perspectives – from evolutionary developmental psychology to cultural-ecological and social-constructionist viewpoints

a new chapter on prenatal development and birth

extensive new material on developments in attachment theory

extended discussion of implications of the social contexts of learning for cognition and education

recent perspectives on disadvantage. Each chapter provides lucid discussion of the material, enlivened by the inclusion of revealing case studies, and ideas for classroom discussion. Throughout the text the practical and applied implications of developmental research are emphasized and discussed.

Edition details

• Publisher: Blackwell Pub
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 0631177922
• ISBN 13: 9780631177920
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 488