Ursula M. Staudinger - Böcker

Various theoretical models in psychology have emphasized the social foundation of the mind and the role that social interactions play in human development. Interactive minds emphasizes social transaction and communication between minds without implying particular mechanisms and outcomes. For instance, not all products of interacting minds are positive. Interactive Minds also takes a life-span perspective, which is especially suited for understanding interactive dynamics of behaviour and human development. Experts from a variety of fields address such issues as biological aspects of cooperation, the role of social interaction in learning, the conceptualization of linguistic knowledge, and peer problem solving. In a concluding Epilogue, implications are presented for various fields, including education, developmental and cognitive psychology, and cultural anthropology.

Various theoretical models in psychology have emphasized the social foundation of the mind and the role that social interactions play in human development. Interactive minds emphasizes social transaction and communication between minds without implying particular mechanisms and outcomes. For instance, not all products of interacting minds are positive. Interactive Minds also takes a life-span perspective, which is especially suited for understanding interactive dynamics of behaviour and human development. Experts from a variety of fields address such issues as biological aspects of cooperation, the role of social interaction in learning, the conceptualization of linguistic knowledge, and peer problem solving. In a concluding Epilogue, implications are presented for various fields, including education, developmental and cognitive psychology, and cultural anthropology.

Understanding developmental processes in the individual as well as in aggregates of individuals is an important aim of many of the social and behavioural sciences. This book presents a theoretical framework for this endeavour - an architecture for the study of human development across different disciplines. This architecture describes two major sources of human development (biology and culture) and posits three central developmental mechanisms (selection, optimization, and compensation).

Understanding developmental processes in the individual as well as in aggregates of individuals is an important aim of many of the social and behavioural sciences. This book presents a theoretical framework for this endeavour - an architecture for the study of human development across different disciplines. This architecture describes two major sources of human development (biology and culture) and posits three central developmental mechanisms (selection, optimization, and compensation).