Fundamentals of Developmental Psychology

Peter Mitchell is Emeritus Professor in Cognitive Development in the School of Psychology at the University of Nottingham. His main research interests are the development of an understanding of the mind in typical and atypical development and visuo-spatial abilities in autism.Fenja Ziegler is an Associate Professor in Psychology at the University of Lincoln. Fenja’s main research interest is the imagination and its role in social decision-making, mentalizing and perspective-taking in narrative and space, which she studies in children and adults.Sarah Rose is an Associate Professor in Child Psychology and Education at University of Staffordshire. Her main research interests are in children’s creative development, including the pictures they draw, the ideas they come up with and the problems that they solve.

Praise for the Previous Edition:“Whilst certain to become the standard text for many introductory and foundation courses in developmental psychology, it will also have a much broader appeal to professionals in health, education and social work. Throughout the book the authors develop their arguments utilizing a clever balance of classic texts and new research evidence to guide the reader through the big issues in developmental psychology. Their excellent style draws you in and makes learning fun."David Coghill, University of Dundee, UK"This is an excellent introduction to the field of developmental psychology. I especially liked its coverage of developmental disorders, including ADHD, autism, SLI, and Williams Syndrome."Robert Siegler, Carnegie Mellon University, USA"An engaging introduction to the field of child development, current knowledge in the area, and the historical figures who brought us there. The addition of new chapters has added to the value of the book by introducing a greater discussion of scientific methodology, and by addressing developmental disorders."Karen Turner, University of Queensland, Australia"This book covers all the basic topics one would expect in an introductory textbook of this sort. The authors are clearly experts in the field – their discussion of theory and methodology is detailed and appropriate, and the literature referenced is current. The book also contains chapters on specific topics that I have not seen in other textbooks, and I think the additions and revisions to this new edition have strengthened the book considerably. The result is a clear, thorough, and engaging introduction to the key ideas and methods of developmental psychology."David Peebles, University of Huddersfield, UK

• Foreword 1. Themes and Perspectives in Developmental Psychology 2. Prenatal development: focusing on environmental influences 3. Early Socialisation and Emotional Development: The Role of Caregivers 4. Developing an Ability to See the World 5. The Development of Communication and Language Skills 6. The Development of Thinking: Piaget and His Legacy 7. Numerical Development 8. What Children Understand About the Mind 9. Development of Self 10. The Role of Heredity and Environment in Intelligence 11. Developmental Conditions 12. Children’s Drawing and Understanding of Picture 13. Moral Development 14. Development Aggression 15. Navigating the changes in adolescence Glossary Index