Social Cognition: Development Across the Life Span

Social Cognition brings together diverse and timely writings that highlight cutting-edge research and theories on the development of social cognition and social behavior across species and the life span. The volume is organized according to two central themes that address issues of continuity and change both at the phylogenetic and the ontogenetic level. First, it addresses to what extent social cognitive abilities and behaviors are shared across species, versus abilities and capacities that are uniquely human. Second, it covers to what extent social cognitive abilities and behaviors are continuous across periods of development within and across the life span, versus their change with age.

This volume offers a fresh perspective on social cognition and behavior, and shows the value of bringing together different disciplines to illuminate our understanding of the origins, mechanisms, functions, and development of the many capacities that have evolved to facilitate and regulate a wide variety of behaviors fine-tuned to group living.

Jessica A. Sommerville, Ph.D, is Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington. She is the Associate Director of the Child and Family Well-being Center, and Director of the Early Childhood Cognition Lab.

Jean Decety, Ph.D, is the Irving B. Harris Distinguished Service Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Chicago and the College, and the Director of the Child NeuroSuite.