Exploring the Dynamics of Human Development
An Integrative Approach
Published on 28. July 2016
Book
Hardback
288 pages
978-0-19-932841-3 (ISBN)
Description
Researchers and students in developmental psychology have pointed out that the numerous findings from research about human development seem disconnected and that it is difficult to fit fragmented bits of information together. Studies of separate domains of functioning (e.g., cognition, emotion, language, social relationships, identity) divide the field and there are increasing calls for integrative conceptions of human development.
In Exploring the Dynamics of Human Development, Dr. Catherine Raeff constructs a theoretical framework that enables readers to reconcile seemingly disparate information by thinking systematically about dynamic developmental processes. This approach integrates systems theory, organismic-developmental theory, and sociocultural theory, as well as research across cultures and the life span Raeff brings developmental processes into coherence by building a unified theoretical framework that is organized around the following questions: What develops during development?; What happens during development?; and How does development happen? Using a wide range of illustrative empirical examples, Raeff conceptualizes what happens during development in terms of differentiation and integration and explains how development happens through individual, social, and cultural processes. The framework helps to overcome confusion in the field and explore issues such as individual and cultural variability, looking beyond age-based changed to understand development, and resolving fragmentation by starting with whole person functioning. The framework also opens up new directions for research. This book will be useful to developmentalists, graduate students, upper level undergraduates, and others who seek an integrative understanding of the field as a whole and a systematic way of thinking about and investigating human action and development.
In Exploring the Dynamics of Human Development, Dr. Catherine Raeff constructs a theoretical framework that enables readers to reconcile seemingly disparate information by thinking systematically about dynamic developmental processes. This approach integrates systems theory, organismic-developmental theory, and sociocultural theory, as well as research across cultures and the life span Raeff brings developmental processes into coherence by building a unified theoretical framework that is organized around the following questions: What develops during development?; What happens during development?; and How does development happen? Using a wide range of illustrative empirical examples, Raeff conceptualizes what happens during development in terms of differentiation and integration and explains how development happens through individual, social, and cultural processes. The framework helps to overcome confusion in the field and explore issues such as individual and cultural variability, looking beyond age-based changed to understand development, and resolving fragmentation by starting with whole person functioning. The framework also opens up new directions for research. This book will be useful to developmentalists, graduate students, upper level undergraduates, and others who seek an integrative understanding of the field as a whole and a systematic way of thinking about and investigating human action and development.
Reviews / Votes
"Reflecting the cutting-edge of contemporary theory in developmental science, this book presents the key conceptual ideas involved in understanding the fundamental, dynamic integration of individual and ecological processes across the life span. Professor Raeff provides readers with an erudite and insightful synthesis of the knowledge base regarding the coactions among the multiple levels of organization comprising the relational developmental system.Exploring the Dynamics of Human Development is an invaluable addition to the theoretical bases of developmental science, one that both senior and junior scholars will find informative, provocative, and
important."
--Richard M. Lerner, PhD, Bergstrom Chair in Applied Developmental Science and Director, Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development, Tufts University
"Raeff suggests that the task of understanding developmental psychology is a problem of 'seeing the forest through the trees.' She is right. The field is jam-packed with theories and research findings from a long list of diverse and often disconnected areas. Most volumes on developmental psychology contain copious descriptions of the facts and findings in the field. The problem, however, is that we have plenty of developmental research. What we need are
coherent general frameworks to make sense of it all! This is the task that Raeff sets out to do, and she accomplishes it masterfully. Her book provides both the student and the scholar with the conceptual
tools they need to make sense out of the 'boomin' buzzin' confusion' of developmental research. In a world of too much information, Raeff provides the wisdom we need to organize, well, at least a part of it."
--Michael F. Mascolo, PhD, Professor, Department of Psychology, Merrimack College
"Catherine Raeff provides a comprehensive and rich analysis of the dynamics of human development in a highly readable manner. This remarkable volume addresses fundamental questions too often lost in modern day discussions. The book will reinvigorate discussions in the field and excite a new generation of scholars."
--Nancy Budwig, PhD, Professor of Psychology, Associate Provost, and Dean of Research, Clark University
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 157 mm
Width: 239 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
499 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-932841-3 (9780199328413)
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
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
07/2016
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€47.49
Available for download
E-Book
06/2016
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€47.49
Available for download
Person
Catherine Raeff, PhD, is Professor of Psychology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Her scholarship has addressed issues of individualism and collectivism, and how both are played out during development in culturally particular ways. She is continuing to work on the issues presented in this book by articulating an integrative and widely applicable conceptualization of human functioning in terms of individual, social, and cultural processes. Her publications include articles and the book Always separate, always connected: Independence and interdependence in cultural contexts of development.
Content
Introduction: Searching For The Forest Among The Trees
Chapter 1 Basic Developmental Processes And Basic Systems Premises
Chapter 2 What Develops During Development?
Chapter 3 What Happens During Development?
Chapter 4 Thinking About The Early Deveopment Of Action
Chapter 5 Thinking About The Development Of Action Around The World
Chapter 6 How Does Development Happen? Some Preliminaries: Nature And Nurture
Chapter 7 Thinking About How Development Happens Through Individual, Social, And Cultural Processes
Chapter 8 Hot Topics: Implications And Future Directions
References
About the Author
Index
Chapter 1 Basic Developmental Processes And Basic Systems Premises
Chapter 2 What Develops During Development?
Chapter 3 What Happens During Development?
Chapter 4 Thinking About The Early Deveopment Of Action
Chapter 5 Thinking About The Development Of Action Around The World
Chapter 6 How Does Development Happen? Some Preliminaries: Nature And Nurture
Chapter 7 Thinking About How Development Happens Through Individual, Social, And Cultural Processes
Chapter 8 Hot Topics: Implications And Future Directions
References
About the Author
Index