Principles of Developmental Psychology: An Introduction

by Butterworth,George

• ISBN13: 9780863772801
• ISBN10: 0863772803
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 1994-08-01
• Publisher: Psychology Pres

Summary

Developmental psychology is concerned with the scientific understanding of age related changes in experience and behaviour, not only in children but throughout the lifespan. The task is to discover, describe, and explain how development occurs, from its earliest origins, into childhood, adulthood, and old age. To understand human development requires one not only to make contact with human nature but also to consider the diverse effects of culture on the developing child. Development is as much a process of acquiring culture as it is of biological growth.; This book reviews the history of developmental psychology with respect to both its nature and the effects of transmission of culture. The major theorists of the late 19th and early 20th century Piaget, Vygotsky, Bowlby are introduced to provide a background to contemporary research and the modern synthesis of nature and nurture.; This brief textbook is suitable as an introduction to developmental psychology, both at A-level and for beginning undergraduatestudents. It aims to be of interest to psychologists, educationalists, social workers and others with an interest in a contemporary understanding of factors involved in human development.

Table of Contents

The origins of developmental psychology	p. 3
The modern synthesis	p. 15
Pre-natal development	p. 37
Perceptual development in infancy	p. 58
The development of motor skills in infancy	p. 77
Origins of knowledge	p. 88
The emergence of symbols	p. 115
Symbolic representation in play and drawing	p. 139
Cognitive development in early childhood	p. 163
Cognitive development in middle childhood	p. 183
The impact of school	p. 199
Adolescence	p. 225
Development in adulthood	p. 241
References	p. 255
Author Index	p. 269
Subject Index	p. 272
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.