Perspectives on Human Development – serie

The present volume deals with the experience of ambivalence in family relations - a well-known phenomenon that has inspired more and more research and theorizing in the last years but that is however sometimes difficult to capture.Bringing together junior and senior researchers from different parts of the world, ideas on theory and research are elaborated following qualitative and quantitative approaches. This book thus contributes to theory-building as well as outlining research results and helping to develop measurement in interpersonal and intergenerational relations.

The present volume deals with the experience of ambivalence in family relations - a well-known phenomenon that has inspired more and more research and theorizing in the last years but that is however sometimes difficult to capture.Bringing together junior and senior researchers from different parts of the world, ideas on theory and research are elaborated following qualitative and quantitative approaches. This book thus contributes to theory-building as well as outlining research results and helping to develop measurement in interpersonal and intergenerational relations.

In the 'Pocket Money Project,' researchers from four countries, Japan, Korea, China, and Vietnam collaborated and studied how children in those four countries were involved with money, combining various research methods and approaches. What our project tries to present throughout this book is that money is not only just a tool of exchange in the context of the market economy; but, it also serves as a tool to mediate human relationships in individual cultures; and the tool is used and mediated by norms. The structure of the norms differs among cultures, and the same action has different meanings; thus, when the structure of norms in a culture is identified, the meaning of an action in the culture becomes clear.The research practice of 'the Cultural Psychology of Differences' does not aim to create inventories of static differences. When a researcher, who is also a member of a specific culture, witnesses common behavior (cultural practices) among the others belonging to a different culture, the researcher is surprised, and, at the same time, reflects on his or her own common behavior (cultural practices); by doing so, mutual understanding and empathy are deepened, and this is exactly what 'the Cultural Psychology of Differences' aims to do. Culture of the others appears dynamically, swaying ourselves; theorizing such a process is the task of our 'Cultural Psychology of Differences'.We believe this practice of understanding different cultures will provide a practical prescription for mutual understanding through tensions and surprise not only for psychology but also for members of the countries that historically and constantly have had strained relationships. 'Cultural Psychology of Differences' is the ideal that cultural psychology to study the relationships between mind and culture should be pursued in the future.

In the 'Pocket Money Project,' researchers from four countries, Japan, Korea, China, and Vietnam collaborated and studied how children in those four countries were involved with money, combining various research methods and approaches. What our project tries to present throughout this book is that money is not only just a tool of exchange in the context of the market economy; but, it also serves as a tool to mediate human relationships in individual cultures; and the tool is used and mediated by norms. The structure of the norms differs among cultures, and the same action has different meanings; thus, when the structure of norms in a culture is identified, the meaning of an action in the culture becomes clear.The research practice of 'the Cultural Psychology of Differences' does not aim to create inventories of static differences. When a researcher, who is also a member of a specific culture, witnesses common behavior (cultural practices) among the others belonging to a different culture, the researcher is surprised, and, at the same time, reflects on his or her own common behavior (cultural practices); by doing so, mutual understanding and empathy are deepened, and this is exactly what 'the Cultural Psychology of Differences' aims to do. Culture of the others appears dynamically, swaying ourselves; theorizing such a process is the task of our 'Cultural Psychology of Differences'.We believe this practice of understanding different cultures will provide a practical prescription for mutual understanding through tensions and surprise not only for psychology but also for members of the countries that historically and constantly have had strained relationships. 'Cultural Psychology of Differences' is the ideal that cultural psychology to study the relationships between mind and culture should be pursued in the future.

This is an edited (introduced and annotated) book by the Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky who belongs to the most well-known social scientists of the previous century and whose body of writings still serves as a source of inspiration for present-day researchers in psychology, education, linguistics, and so on. The book had not been translated into any language and was virtually unknown to the scientific community, because it is extremely hard to find a copy of the original. The book will cause excitement among those familiar with Vygotsky’s writings, because it deals with an aspect of his life and work that is little known, notably his involvement with child studies or, as it is also known, pedology (paidology, paedology). Child studies was a new discipline launched by the American G. Stanley Hall which aimed to offer a comprehensive study of the child including psychological, educational, medical, and social aspects. The discipline enjoyed a brief popularity in the US and Europe until WW 1 and continued its existence in the USSR until 1936 when it was forbidden. The book gives a unique insight into Russian and Soviet pedology and will be interesting to anyone interested in developmental and general psychology, education, and the social history of these disciplines. As the book requires virtually no previous knowledge it can be read with profit by both undergraduate and graduate students and professors. An additional asset for those specifically interested in Vygotsky’s theorizing is that it shows a whole new light on the social-historical and political background of his ideas. The book is introduced by an essay that explains the historical embeddedness of Vygotsky’s ideas and the footnotes and list of brief biographies of key figures make it particularly easy to understand the book’s content and context.

This is an edited (introduced and annotated) book by the Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky who belongs to the most well-known social scientists of the previous century and whose body of writings still serves as a source of inspiration for present-day researchers in psychology, education, linguistics, and so on. The book had not been translated into any language and was virtually unknown to the scientific community, because it is extremely hard to find a copy of the original. The book will cause excitement among those familiar with Vygotsky’s writings, because it deals with an aspect of his life and work that is little known, notably his involvement with child studies or, as it is also known, pedology (paidology, paedology). Child studies was a new discipline launched by the American G. Stanley Hall which aimed to offer a comprehensive study of the child including psychological, educational, medical, and social aspects. The discipline enjoyed a brief popularity in the US and Europe until WW 1 and continued its existence in the USSR until 1936 when it was forbidden. The book gives a unique insight into Russian and Soviet pedology and will be interesting to anyone interested in developmental and general psychology, education, and the social history of these disciplines. As the book requires virtually no previous knowledge it can be read with profit by both undergraduate and graduate students and professors. An additional asset for those specifically interested in Vygotsky’s theorizing is that it shows a whole new light on the social-historical and political background of his ideas. The book is introduced by an essay that explains the historical embeddedness of Vygotsky’s ideas and the footnotes and list of brief biographies of key figures make it particularly easy to understand the book’s content and context.

This book which has been created in the framework of the EU-funded COST Action INTERFASOL brings together researchers from 22 INTERFASOL countries, who frame intergenerational family solidarity in the specific historical, cultural, social and economic context of their own country. Integrating different perspectives from social and political sciences, economics, communication, health and psychology, the book offers country-specific knowledge and new insights into family relations, family values and family policies across Europe.

This book which has been created in the framework of the EU-funded COST Action INTERFASOL brings together researchers from 22 INTERFASOL countries, who frame intergenerational family solidarity in the specific historical, cultural, social and economic context of their own country. Integrating different perspectives from social and political sciences, economics, communication, health and psychology, the book offers country-specific knowledge and new insights into family relations, family values and family policies across Europe.

This book, which has been created in the framework of the EU-funded COST Action YOUNG-IN (CA17114), sheds a light on the structural disadvantages and opportunities in family formation among youth, offering an insight into the relevant contextual factors in eleven countries. Analyzing demographic trends and socioeconomic settings, including normative and institutional frameworks (that focus on family policies), the authors have identified and presented the peculiarities of the transition to parenthood, as well as common challenges that young people face in that process.

This book, which has been created in the framework of the EU-funded COST Action YOUNG-IN (CA17114), sheds a light on the structural disadvantages and opportunities in family formation among youth, offering an insight into the relevant contextual factors in eleven countries. Analyzing demographic trends and socioeconomic settings, including normative and institutional frameworks (that focus on family policies), the authors have identified and presented the peculiarities of the transition to parenthood, as well as common challenges that young people face in that process.

What sparks a psychologist’s interest in a certain phenomenon? Is it a symptom, a syndrome, a treatment, the usual, the exceptional, the group, the individual? An epistemologist, for example, focuses on the group and delivers group results. The clinician has to focus on the patient, although the patient may be perceived as one of a group (e.g., all patients with the same disease). The patient usually focuses on the clinician, but can take other opinions into account; especially, when the clinician is not considered to be the only authority. These dynamics – observable in therapy as well as in research – are critically reflected in this book, not only highlighting differences, but also commonalities individuals share: They all filter information and concentrate on certain aspects according to their socialization. They all have different expectations and can, yet, all deal with the same objective. Communication and building relationships seem to be vital – this book aims to support this quest by moving from the universal to the particular.

What sparks a psychologist’s interest in a certain phenomenon? Is it a symptom, a syndrome, a treatment, the usual, the exceptional, the group, the individual? An epistemologist, for example, focuses on the group and delivers group results. The clinician has to focus on the patient, although the patient may be perceived as one of a group (e.g., all patients with the same disease). The patient usually focuses on the clinician, but can take other opinions into account; especially, when the clinician is not considered to be the only authority. These dynamics – observable in therapy as well as in research – are critically reflected in this book, not only highlighting differences, but also commonalities individuals share: They all filter information and concentrate on certain aspects according to their socialization. They all have different expectations and can, yet, all deal with the same objective. Communication and building relationships seem to be vital – this book aims to support this quest by moving from the universal to the particular.

Reframing Developmental Psychology: Perspectives from the Global South critically examines the dominant frameworks in Developmental Psychology, challenging the discipline’s reliance on mainstream theories, universalist assumptions, and culturally narrow research samples. By addressing issues such as WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) psychology and developmentalism, the book calls for a more inclusive and culturally grounded approach to understanding human development. Contributors to this volume carefully question the assumptions that underlie conventional developmental discourse and advocate acknowledging historical contexts, cultural specificity, and diverse epistemologies, while retaining the larger objective of universal scientific study. Universalism should not imply uniformity.  Emphasizing perspectives from the Global South - understood as both a geographical and conceptual space - this book highlights the importance of integrating indigenous knowledge systems, alternative methodologies, and collaborative scholarship in the advancement of a culturally informed study of human developmental processes. It critiques the over-reliance on positivist, standardized research methods that fail to capture the complexities of meaning-making and cultural variation. Instead, it calls for a redefinition of what constitutes valid knowledge, advocating for interdisciplinary approaches that bridge psychology, anthropology, sociology, literature and philosophy. By dismantling colonial legacies and reconsidering the ethical, epistemological, and methodological foundations of the field, the book fosters a vision of Developmental Psychology that is equitable, pluralistic, and responsive to the diverse realities of human experience.

Reframing Developmental Psychology: Perspectives from the Global South critically examines the dominant frameworks in Developmental Psychology, challenging the discipline’s reliance on mainstream theories, universalist assumptions, and culturally narrow research samples. By addressing issues such as WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) psychology and developmentalism, the book calls for a more inclusive and culturally grounded approach to understanding human development. Contributors to this volume carefully question the assumptions that underlie conventional developmental discourse and advocate acknowledging historical contexts, cultural specificity, and diverse epistemologies, while retaining the larger objective of universal scientific study. Universalism should not imply uniformity.  Emphasizing perspectives from the Global South - understood as both a geographical and conceptual space - this book highlights the importance of integrating indigenous knowledge systems, alternative methodologies, and collaborative scholarship in the advancement of a culturally informed study of human developmental processes. It critiques the over-reliance on positivist, standardized research methods that fail to capture the complexities of meaning-making and cultural variation. Instead, it calls for a redefinition of what constitutes valid knowledge, advocating for interdisciplinary approaches that bridge psychology, anthropology, sociology, literature and philosophy. By dismantling colonial legacies and reconsidering the ethical, epistemological, and methodological foundations of the field, the book fosters a vision of Developmental Psychology that is equitable, pluralistic, and responsive to the diverse realities of human experience.

This book is about the relation between the school, the family, and the community as agents of education considered as a large field that goes beyond schooling. The triadic dialogue taking place amidst boundaries is analyzed, mainly from the perspective of cultural psychology, in a complex way in reference to different epistemological, ideological methodological, and very practical issues. This volume situates this triadic dialogue amidst a field of tensions that take different forms. The tensions between systemic continuity and discontinuity across different ecological levels are central in this book. How diversity and difference are dealt with is at the core of such tensions.This volume addresses a number of crucial issues. First, it brings to the field of home-school-community relationships a systematic theoretical scheme. Secondly, it gives us a comparative-cultural (India and Canada) glimpse into the histories of education as it has been used as a tool to conquer the minds of new—by force annexed—members of the society. Thirdly, it brings into the school-home-community relationships discourse basic dialogical principles. These relationships are not merely general themes of discourse but can take very concrete forms. Fourthly, the general model of Urie Bronfenbrenner, which has been used as a basis for looking at schools in society since the 1970s, is given careful analytic attention. Finally, we explore innovative pedagogical practices that are oriented towards the parents who may be brought into the school territory to join their children in joint construction efforts.

This book is about the relation between the school, the family, and the community as agents of education considered as a large field that goes beyond schooling. The triadic dialogue taking place amidst boundaries is analyzed, mainly from the perspective of cultural psychology, in a complex way in reference to different epistemological, ideological methodological, and very practical issues. This volume situates this triadic dialogue amidst a field of tensions that take different forms. The tensions between systemic continuity and discontinuity across different ecological levels are central in this book. How diversity and difference are dealt with is at the core of such tensions.This volume addresses a number of crucial issues. First, it brings to the field of home-school-community relationships a systematic theoretical scheme. Secondly, it gives us a comparative-cultural (India and Canada) glimpse into the histories of education as it has been used as a tool to conquer the minds of new—by force annexed—members of the society. Thirdly, it brings into the school-home-community relationships discourse basic dialogical principles. These relationships are not merely general themes of discourse but can take very concrete forms. Fourthly, the general model of Urie Bronfenbrenner, which has been used as a basis for looking at schools in society since the 1970s, is given careful analytic attention. Finally, we explore innovative pedagogical practices that are oriented towards the parents who may be brought into the school territory to join their children in joint construction efforts.

This volume attempts to delineate the construction of the self in institutional settings of the contemporary world, with the topics ranging from young children to adults and from the micro level to the macro level of human development. The chapters focus on the activities or practices that characterize institutional settings, stressing their dialogical nature that enables understanding human development and the self as what emerge from the dialectic tension of these events—that is, conflicts or contradictions.Discussions included in this volume are different from the principal ways of evaluating institutions in the modern world—i.e., quantitative reports of achievements or merits—but strongly promote further dialogue among researchers and practitioners. This volume offers a new perspective to anyone who are interested in how we psychologically and socially develop in contemporary society, including teachers or practitioners who actually work with children and youths.