About the Book
Introduction to Developmental Psychology is a representative and authoritative 'state of the art' account of human development from conception to adolescence. The book is organised chronologically and also thematically, and each chapter is written by internationally renowned experts who convey their knowledge with enthusiasm and skill. There are five major sections. In the Introduction the scope, methods and theories of developmental psychology are described together with a detailed account of the nature-nurture issue. The next three sections Infancy, Childhood, and Adolescence give a comprehensive account of the major developments, and the last major section, Practical issues, presents implications and findings on educational issues, bullying, and disorders of development. The book comes with full supporting materials - discussion questions, suggestions for further readings, chapter overviews and glossary - and its own website, which (amongst other material) provides figures for Powerpoint presentations and multiple choice questions for student and instructor use. This is a truly international account of theories, findings and issues in human development.
The text is designed for a broad range of readers, and in particular those with little previous exposure to psychology. The comprehensive coverage and emphasis on core topics makes this an ideal text for introductory students. Visit www blackwellpublishing.com/slater for additional online resources for this text
Table of Contents:
Part I: Introduction: 1. The Scope And Methods Of Developmental Psychology: Darwin Muir (Queen's University, Canada) And Alan Slater (University Of Exeter, UK). 2. Theories And Issues In Child Development: Alan Slater, Ian Hocking And Jon Loose (University Of Exeter, UK). 3. The Nature/Nurture Issue: Elena Grigorenko (Yale University, US And Moscow State University, Russia) And Robert Sternberg (Yale University). Part II: Infancy: 4. Prenatal Development: William P. Fifer (New York State Psychiatric Institute And Columbia University, US) And Christine Moon (Pacific Lutheran University, US). 5. Perception, Knowledge And Action: Gavin Bremner (University Of Lancaster, UK). 6. Emotional Development And Early Attachment Relationships: Elizabeth Meins (University Of Durham, UK). 7. Social Interaction And The Beginnings Of Communication: Rudolph Schaffer (University Of Strathclyde, UK). Part III: Childhood: 8. Cognitive Development: Michael Siegal (University Of Sheffield, UK). 9. The Development Of Language: Stan A. Kuczaj And Heather M Hill (University of Southern Mississippi, US). 10. Acquiring A Theory Of Mind: Peter Mitchell (University Of Nottingham, UK). 11. Reading And Mathematics: Peter Bryant (University Of Oxford, UK). 12. Memory Development And Eye-Witness Testimony: Stephen J. Ceci, Stanka A. Fitneva And Livia L. Gilstrap (Cornell University, US). 13. Play And Peer Relations: Peter K Smith (Goldsmiths College, UK). 14. Prosocial Development, Antisocial Behavior, And Moral Development: Daniel Hart, Debra Burock, Bonita London And Robert Atkins (Rutgers University, US). Part IV: Adolescence: 15. Cognitive Development: Kang Lee And Alejo Freire (Queen's University, Canada). 16. Social Development: Tanya Bergevin, William M. Bukowski And Richard Miners (Concordia University, Canada). Part V: Practical Issues: 17. Educational Implications: Alyson Davis (University Of Surrey, UK). 18. Social Problems In School: Dan Olweus (University Of Bergen, Norway). 19. Disorders Of Development: Vicky Lewis (The Open University, UK). Glossary. Name Index. Subject Index.
About the Author :
Alan M. Slater is Reader in Developmental Psychology at the University of Exeter. He is the co-editor of The Blackwell Reader in Developmental Psychology (Blackwell Publishing, 1999), and the co-editor with Gavin Bremner of the forthcoming Developmental Psychology: An Introduction (Blackwell Publishing, 2003).
J. Gavin Bremner is Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Lancaster. He is the author and editor of many books, including the popular textbook, Infancy (Blackwell Publishers, Second Edition, 1994), and the Blackwell Handbook of Infant Development (Blackwell Publishing, 2002).
Review :
"Slater and Bremner's Introduction to Developmental Psychology is a terrific new textbook. It will likely become the preferred choice for undergraduate courses in Developmental Psychology. Leading researchers in their respective areas of expertise have prepared the chapters, and while multi-authored texts can sometimes suffer from a lack of unity, this one has been skillfully edited so as to provide a coherent narrative. Other strong features include: (1) use of major theories as organizers of factual information, (2) excellent coverage of relevant empirical work with a nice balance of classic experimental findings reviewed alongside the latest research findings, and (3) sophisticated insights on the question of how the our knowledge of child development can be applied to improve the lot of children in the areas of parenting, schooling, and treatment of childhood disorders." Professor Paul Quinn, Washington and Jefferson College, Washington "an informative textbook that undergraduates and postgraduates would benefit from ... It is a definite choice for my reading list." Janine Spencer, Brunel University, The Times Higher Education Supplement, March 26 2004 "In this new Introduction to Developmental Psychology richly illustrated chapters cover infancy, childhood, and adolescence in a concise and stimulating way. In the first section of the book, developmental theory and methodology is discussed with special emphasis on the complex nurture-nature transactions shaping the child's development. In a closing section educational and clinical implications of developmental research are presented. Leaders in the field document the tremendous advances made in developmental psychology that now is coming of age. This Introduction is truly international in presenting not only American but also European contributions to developmental science. Undergraduate students are supported in their study of this book by the lists of key-concepts, and the overview with which each chapter starts. Anecdotes about children, graphs of empirical results, pictures of experimental apparatus, and a set of discussion points at the end of each chapter facilitate the students' understanding of developmental achievements. The combined efforts of specialists in their respective fields lead to an Introduction which at the same time is a balanced and comprehensive state-of-the-art of current developmental psychology." Professor Marinus Van IJzendoorn, Leiden University "If you are looking for an introduction to developmental psychology that is rigorous, thoughtful and comprehensive, look no further. Two distinguished British psychologists - Alan Slater and Gavin Bremner have assembled an international set of experts to bring you the latest and the best research from virtually every corner of this exciting field. Students new to the subject - and teachers who have taught it for many years - will both enjoy this innovative text." Paul Harris, Harvard Graduate School of Education "The book looks to be singularly easy to teach from. The diversity of psychology has been coped with by a selection of research-oriented writers. Manageable chunks of interesting information have been organised through firm editorial control." Norman Freeman, Professor of Psychology, University of Bristol "The editors aim to produce a representative, comprehensive and completely up to date "state of the art" account of human development from conception to adolescence. This they most certainly do. Some of the world's leading experts contributed chapters to the book and the result is an exciting and thought-provoking text that should engage any student or teacher", Laura Taylor, British Journal of Developmental Psychology (2005), 23,153-155
