Developmental Psychology: Revisiting the Classic Studies(Psychology: Revisiting the Classic Studies)

Revisiting the Classic Studies is a series of texts that introduces readers to the studies in psychology that changed the way we think about core topics in the discipline today. It provokes students to ask more interesting and challenging questions about the field by encouraging a deeper level of engagement both with the details of the studies themselves and with the nature of their contribution. Edited by leading scholars in their field and written by researchers at the cutting edge of these developments, the chapters in each text provide details of the original works and their theoretical and empirical impact, and then discuss the ways in which thinking and research has advanced in the years since the studies were conducted. Revisiting the Classic Studies in Developmental Psychology traces 14 ground-breaking studies by researchers such as Harlow, Meltzoff & Moore, Kohlberg and Bandura to re-examine and reflect on their findings and engage in a lively discussion of the subsequent work that they have inspired. Suitable for students on developmental psychology courses at all levels, as well as anyone with an enquiring mind.

Review :
The chapters in this outstanding volume describe the rich insights provided by classic studies in developmental science and, in describing the subsequent research the studies fostered, document the remarkable progress in the field over the past few decades. It should prove valuable to students and professionals alike Robert V. Kail Distinguished Professor of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University This volume puts classic studies in developmental psychology in their historical context and demonstrates their continued influence on current research. The fact that Slater and Quinn have recruited a group of world leading researchers to the project should make this a classic in its own right J. Gavin Bremner Professor of Developmental Psychology, Lancaster University This volume enlivens the study of developmental psychology with accounts of how and why classic studies moved the field forward with respect to central questions about psychological development. Cases were astutely chosen and beautifully realized by the chapter authors W. Andrew Collins Distinguished University Teaching Professor, Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota ′All 14 contributions are excellent, but the strongest include one on conditioning fear reactions and Usha Goswami′s "Reading and Spelling: Revisiting Bradley and Bryant′s Study," which describes the breakthrough studies concerning children′s language acquisition. Of particular poignancy, given recent violence in the US, are essays that look at studies of children′s memory and eyewitness testimony, imitation of aggression, and resilience after traumatic events. Taken as whole, these essays remind one of the importance of developmental psychology research and how it informs on a daily basis. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals′ S. K Hall University of Houston