Historical Developmental Psychology

Name: Historical Developmental Psychology
Brand: Taylor & Francis

Taylor & Francis

This book explores and underlines the thesis that developmental psychology cannot function fruitfully without systematic historical scholarship. Scientific thinking not only depends on empirical-analytical research, but also requires self-reflection and critical thinking about the discipline\u2019s foundations and history. The relevance of history was made especially clear in the writings of William Kessen, who analyzed how both children and child development are shaped \""by the larger cultural forces of political maneuverings, practical economics, and implicit ideological commitments.\"" As a corollary, he emphasized that the science of developmental psychology itself is culturally and historically shaped in significant ways. Discussing the implications of these insights in the book\u2019s introduction, Koops and Kessel stress that we need a Historical Developmental Psychology. In the book\u2019s following chapters, historians of childhood \u2013 Mintz, Stearns, Lassonde, Sandin, and.