
Child and Adolescent Development in Context
Tara L. Kuther(Author)
SAGE Publications Inc (Publisher)
2nd Edition
Published on 14. May 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
752 pages
978-1-0719-1332-1 (ISBN)
Description
In Child and Adolescent Development in Context, Second Edition award-winning author Tara L. Kuther brings developmental research to life by framing it within real-world contexts, illustrating how internal factors interact with a wide range of social, environmental, and cultural influences.
Reviews / Votes
The author provides a detailed approach that does not overwhelm beginning students. -- Michael Godfrey * Pre pub Review *More details
Edition
2nd Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Thousand Oaks
United States
Publishing group
Sage Publications Inc Ebooks
Target group
College/higher education
Edition type
Revised edition
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 276 mm
Width: 212 mm
Weight
1474 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-0719-1332-1 (9781071913321)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Tara L. Kuther is professor of psychology at Western Connecticut State University where she has taught courses in child, adolescent, and adult development for 30 years. She earned her PhD in developmental psychology at Fordham University. Dr. Kuther is fellow of the Society for the Teaching of Psychology (APA, Division 2), has served in various capacities in the Society for the Teaching of Psychology and Society for Research on Adolescence, and is the former chair of the Teaching Committee for the Society for Research in Child Development. Her research interests include social cognition and risky activity in adolescence and adulthood. She is the award-winning author of Lifespan Development: Lives in Context, other developmental psychology texts, as well as books to promote student professional development and help them succeed in college and afterward.
Content
Preface
Acknowledgments
About The Author
Chapter 1: Introduction to Child Development: Themes, Theories, and Research
Understanding Development
Core Concepts in Developmental Science
Classic Theories: Psychoanalytic and Behaviorist Theories
Cognitive Theories
Biological and Systems Theories: Evolutionary Developmental, Bioecological, and Dynamic Systems Theories
Methods of Collecting Data about Children
Research Designs
Applied Developmental Science, Ethics, and Intersectionality
Apply Your Knowledge
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 2: Biological and Environmental Foundations of Development
Genetic Foundations of Development
Chromosomal and Genetic Abnormalities
Reproductive Technology and Genetic Counseling
Prenatal Diagnosis
Heredity And Environment Interactions
Apply Your Knowledge
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 3: The Prenatal Period, Birth, and the Newborn
Prenatal Development
Environmental Influences of Prenatal Development
The Prenatal Environment and Prenatal Care
Childbirth
The Newborn
Apply Your Knowledge
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 4: Physical Development in Infancy and Toddlerhood
Body Growth and Health in Infancy and Toddlerhood
Threats to Infant and Toddler Health
Brain Development During Infancy and Toddlerhood
Sensory and Perceptual Development
Motor Development
Apply Your Knowledge
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 5: Cognitive Development in Infancy and Toddlerhood
Piaget's Cognitive-Developmental Theory: Sensorimotor Reasoning
Information Processing Theory
Language Development in Infancy and Toddlerhood
Biological and Contextual Influences on Language Development
Apply Your Knowledge
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 6: Socioemotional Development in Infancy and Toddlerhood
Emotional Development In Infancy And Toddlerhood
Temperament
Attachment
The Self in Infancy and Toddlerhood
Apply Your Knowledge
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 7: Physical Development in Early Childhood
Growth and Motor Development
Brain Development
Promoting Health in Early Childhood
Threats to Health and Well-Being
Apply Your Knowledge
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 8: Cognitive Development in Early Childhood
Piaget's Cognitive-Developmental Theory: Preoperational Reasoning
Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory
Information Processing in Early Childhood
Language Development in Early Childhood
Moral Development and Behavior in Early Childhood
Early Childhood Education
Apply Your Learning
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 9: Socioemotional Development in Early Childhood
Emerging Sense Of Self
Emotional Development In Early Childood
Families
Gender Typing And Gender Development
Play And Peer Relationships In Early Childhood
Apply Your Knowledge
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 10: Physical Development in Middle Childhood
Growth and Motor Development
Brain Development
Health in Middle Childhood
Threats to Health in Middle Childhood
Apply Your Knowledge
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 11: Cognitive Development in Middle Childhood
Piaget's Cognitive-Developmental Theory: Concrete Operational Reasoning
Information Processing Theory
Intelligence
Moral Reasoning in Middle Childhood
Language Development In Middle Chidhood
Learning and Schooling In Middle Childhood
Apply Your Knowledge
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 12: Socioemotional Development in Middle Childhood
The Self in Middle Childhood
Gender in Middle Childhood
Peer Relationships in Middle Childhood
Families In Middle Childhood
Risk and Resilience in Middle Childhood
Apply Your Knowledge
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 13: Physical Development in Adolescence
Puberty
Brain Development in Adolescence
Adolescent Health
Threats to Adolescent Health
Adolescent Sexuality
Apply Your Knowledge
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 14: Cognitive Development in Adolescence
Cognitive Development
Social Cognition
Moral, Civic, And Religious Development
Schools and Academic Achievement In Adolescence
Post-Secondary Education and Employment
Apply Your Knowledge
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 15: Socioemotional Development in Adolescence
The Self in Adolescence
Adolescents and Their Parents
Peers
Internalizing and Externalizing Issues
Positive Youth Development
Apply Your Knowledge
Summary
Key Terms
Glossary
References
Acknowledgments
About The Author
Chapter 1: Introduction to Child Development: Themes, Theories, and Research
Understanding Development
Core Concepts in Developmental Science
Classic Theories: Psychoanalytic and Behaviorist Theories
Cognitive Theories
Biological and Systems Theories: Evolutionary Developmental, Bioecological, and Dynamic Systems Theories
Methods of Collecting Data about Children
Research Designs
Applied Developmental Science, Ethics, and Intersectionality
Apply Your Knowledge
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 2: Biological and Environmental Foundations of Development
Genetic Foundations of Development
Chromosomal and Genetic Abnormalities
Reproductive Technology and Genetic Counseling
Prenatal Diagnosis
Heredity And Environment Interactions
Apply Your Knowledge
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 3: The Prenatal Period, Birth, and the Newborn
Prenatal Development
Environmental Influences of Prenatal Development
The Prenatal Environment and Prenatal Care
Childbirth
The Newborn
Apply Your Knowledge
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 4: Physical Development in Infancy and Toddlerhood
Body Growth and Health in Infancy and Toddlerhood
Threats to Infant and Toddler Health
Brain Development During Infancy and Toddlerhood
Sensory and Perceptual Development
Motor Development
Apply Your Knowledge
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 5: Cognitive Development in Infancy and Toddlerhood
Piaget's Cognitive-Developmental Theory: Sensorimotor Reasoning
Information Processing Theory
Language Development in Infancy and Toddlerhood
Biological and Contextual Influences on Language Development
Apply Your Knowledge
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 6: Socioemotional Development in Infancy and Toddlerhood
Emotional Development In Infancy And Toddlerhood
Temperament
Attachment
The Self in Infancy and Toddlerhood
Apply Your Knowledge
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 7: Physical Development in Early Childhood
Growth and Motor Development
Brain Development
Promoting Health in Early Childhood
Threats to Health and Well-Being
Apply Your Knowledge
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 8: Cognitive Development in Early Childhood
Piaget's Cognitive-Developmental Theory: Preoperational Reasoning
Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory
Information Processing in Early Childhood
Language Development in Early Childhood
Moral Development and Behavior in Early Childhood
Early Childhood Education
Apply Your Learning
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 9: Socioemotional Development in Early Childhood
Emerging Sense Of Self
Emotional Development In Early Childood
Families
Gender Typing And Gender Development
Play And Peer Relationships In Early Childhood
Apply Your Knowledge
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 10: Physical Development in Middle Childhood
Growth and Motor Development
Brain Development
Health in Middle Childhood
Threats to Health in Middle Childhood
Apply Your Knowledge
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 11: Cognitive Development in Middle Childhood
Piaget's Cognitive-Developmental Theory: Concrete Operational Reasoning
Information Processing Theory
Intelligence
Moral Reasoning in Middle Childhood
Language Development In Middle Chidhood
Learning and Schooling In Middle Childhood
Apply Your Knowledge
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 12: Socioemotional Development in Middle Childhood
The Self in Middle Childhood
Gender in Middle Childhood
Peer Relationships in Middle Childhood
Families In Middle Childhood
Risk and Resilience in Middle Childhood
Apply Your Knowledge
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 13: Physical Development in Adolescence
Puberty
Brain Development in Adolescence
Adolescent Health
Threats to Adolescent Health
Adolescent Sexuality
Apply Your Knowledge
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 14: Cognitive Development in Adolescence
Cognitive Development
Social Cognition
Moral, Civic, And Religious Development
Schools and Academic Achievement In Adolescence
Post-Secondary Education and Employment
Apply Your Knowledge
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter 15: Socioemotional Development in Adolescence
The Self in Adolescence
Adolescents and Their Parents
Peers
Internalizing and Externalizing Issues
Positive Youth Development
Apply Your Knowledge
Summary
Key Terms
Glossary
References