Jane Goldberg – författare

This two-volume work levels both criticism and challenge to traditional developmental psychology. For too long, developmental psychologists have been studying individuals as if they developed in a sociocultural vacuum. As psychologists began to study the individual''s development more broadly, they considered the impact of a number of other factors in the physical and social environment: early education, sociocultural differences, mass communication, alternative living arrangements, and medical care--to name but a few.

Volume I, Historical and Cultural Issues, examines the problems of behavioral development from historical, political, theoretical, and cultural points of view. A number of content areas already familiar to developmental psychologists are discussed: Piaget''s theory, perceptual development, socialization, and language acquisition. In addition, topics relatively unfamiliar to American psychologists are included: the contribution of early European developmentalists such as William and Clara Stern, Alfred Binet, and Eduard Spranger; and an introduction to recent Soviet developmental theory.

Volume II, Social and Environmental Issues, considers the effects of changes in social and environmental conditions upon individual development. The expanding impact of technology such as the communications media, the importance of nutrition, and the design of playgrounds and other spaces for growing children are among the changes examined, as are the impact of social organizations and interactions within small groups, focusing upon preschool education, interaction within the family, and personality development throughout the individual''s life.

This two-volume work levels both criticism and challenge to traditional developmental psychology. For too long, developmental psychologists have been studying individuals as if they developed in a sociocultural vacuum. As psychologists began to study the individual''s development more broadly, they considered the impact of a number of other factors in the physical and social environment: early education, sociocultural differences, mass communication, alternative living arrangements, and medical care--to name but a few.

Volume I, Historical and Cultural Issues, examines the problems of behavioral development from historical, political, theoretical, and cultural points of view. A number of content areas already familiar to developmental psychologists are discussed: Piaget''s theory, perceptual development, socialization, and language acquisition. In addition, topics relatively unfamiliar to American psychologists are included: the contribution of early European developmentalists such as William and Clara Stern, Alfred Binet, and Eduard Spranger; and an introduction to recent Soviet developmental theory.

Volume II, Social and Environmental Issues, considers the effects of changes in social and environmental conditions upon individual development. The expanding impact of technology such as the communications media, the importance of nutrition, and the design of playgrounds and other spaces for growing children are among the changes examined, as are the impact of social organizations and interactions within small groups, focusing upon preschool education, interaction within the family, and personality development throughout the individual''s life.

Many mothers have disturbing fantasies of killing their children. Husbands imagine, with guilt, cheating on their wives. Parents stand on the brink of hitting their teenage children, or may actually do so, while the teens fabricate elaborate strategies of revenge. Hurt, pain, uncontrollable rage, and other forms of abuse also make up the dark side of love. This landmark book has a bold thesis: The denied dark side of love that can show us love''s true nature. By acknowledging our "negative" feelings, we can come into the full spectrum of emotion and hear the message of our darker feelings, without acting them out. Through this, we can increase our capacity for love.

To explain her perspective, Jane Goldberg traces the development of love and hate from infancy. She debunks simplistic myths about mother love and portrays the mother/child bond in all its facets. She explores the hidden recesses of family love and romantic love and shows how the acceptance of constructive expressions of anger, jealousy, and competition can enhance intimacy. Drawing on case histories from her psychoanalytic practice, as well as mythic stories, Goldberg offers insights into the troubling but universal nature of the dark side of love.

In a highly accessible style she explores how to develop a "psychological immune system" to protect against the potentially destructive elements in relationships and allow for a constructive expression of love''s dark side. Her debate-provoking book should be read by psychoanalysts and psychotherapists, individuals who have suffered from the pains and hurts of love, and indeed, by those who are interested in human motivation and behavior.