Textbook

Child Psychology: Development in a Changing Society, 5th Edition

Robin Harwood, Scott A. Miller, Ross Vasta

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This new fifth edition captures the excitement and relevance of child psychology at the beginning of the 21st century; a theme that is exemplified in the text's new subtitle: Child Development in a Changing Society. In addition to extensive research coverage, each chapter includes an additional section that relates the chapter subject to social and cultural contexts, or implications of research for social policy, public practice, or societal change. This new edition places children, child development, and the contexts in which development occurs at the center of the discourse. Thus, this edition has a strong balance of theory, research, and real-world application.

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Table of Contents

Part I. Understanding the Contexts of Child Development.

1. Frameworks for Development.

2. Studying Child Development and its Contexts.

3. The Biological Context of Development.

Part II. Contexts of Physical Development.

4. Prenatal Development, Birth, and the Newborn.

5. Early Capacities in Infancy.

6. The Brain, Physical Growth, and Health.

Part III Contexts of Cognitive Development.

7. Piaget and Vygotsky.

8. Information Processing and Core Knowledge Approaches.

9. Intelligence and Schooling.

10. Language and Communication.

Part IV. Contexts of Social and Emotional Development.

11. Social and Emotional Worlds of Infants and Young Children.

12. Self and Identity.

13. Sex Differences and Gender Role Development.

14. Moral Development.

15. Relationships with Peers.

16. Families and Society.

Author Information

Robin Harwood is a Research Scientist at the University of Connecticut, Department of Anthropology, and a Faculty Associate, Psychology Department, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany.

Scott A. Miller is a Professor at the University of Florida. He is a member of the American Psychological Association - Division of Developmental Psychology.

Contributing Authors
Frances Waksler, Wheelock College
Alastair Younger, Imperial College
Lisa Comparini, Clark University
Vivian Carlson, St. Joseph's College
Jeannine Pinto, Lafayette College
Patricia Greenfield, UCLA
Katheryn Hirsh-Pasek, Temple University
Roberta Golinkoff, University of Delaware
Gail Rollins, University of Connecticut
Amy Miller, Public Policy Director
Caroline Johnston, University of Connecticut
Chloe Bland, New School for Social Research
Ronald P. Rohner, University of Connecticut
Abdul Khaleque, University of Connecticut

New To This Edition

New lead author Robin Harwood.
Chapter Summaries: Each chapter ends with a summary of the major points and issues to help students organize and review the material and facilitate learning by linking to chapter objectives.
Updated Illustration Program: New full-color figures and drawings were selected that depict situations and events described in the text, along with illustrations of lab and research techniques.

Hallmark Features

Emphasis on the contextualist view of human development. In addition to discussing effects of schools, families, and peers in separate chapters, contextual factors are also considered.
Cultural Diversity: Discussions of development in different cultures are woven throughout the text.
Research and Society sections are designed to make students aware of recent and exciting research findings that have high real-world relevance and application.
A number of pedagogical aids, including chapter-opening vignettes, a running glossary, internal summaries, and Test Your Mastery and For Discussion questions.

Related Websites

Student Companion Site

Instructor Companion Site