Author Description

"'Social Development' provides a comprehensive introduction to the multiple factors that shape a child's behavior, interaction with others, feelings about themselves, and how and why behaviors change over time. Delving into the biological, cognitive, and perceptual aspects of development and their influence on behavior, socialization, and self-image, this text also recognizes the significance of cultural and societal distinctions by emphasizing the value of context and identifying cultural variation's role in social development. Special pedagogical features in each chapter enhance the learning experience and promote student understanding: counter-intuitive examples cases challenge reader assumptions, coverage of extreme cases tell the story behind historical advancements, and profiles of current leaders in the field highlight the many paths to a career in social development. With a focus on real-world application, coupled with coverage of cutting-edge methodologies and the latest research findings, this book gives students a strong, highly relevant foundation in core concepts and practices central to the study of social development. Features include: emphasizes cultural diversity by highlighting cultural variations - both internationally and within the U.S. - and differing approaches to common global issues; reviews social and government policy, particularly in the context of children, illustrating the interaction between basic research and policy decisions; shows how social behavior changes through the lifespan, and the developmental factors that influence behavior, social interaction, and emotional expression; explores social development's biological underpinnings through real-world examples; presents a cohesive narrative that follows social development from infancy through childhood, adolescence, and into adulthood; describes methodologies through detailed and specific examples, helping students translate basic science into practical applications. New to t