Developmental Psychology in Historical Perspective

The first book to provide a comprehensive overview of the history of developmental psychology, this volume examines the evolution of the field from the pre–scientific era to the present day. The chapters are organized chronologically and trace the development of international research from the first research published in Germany, America, and France during the late 19 th century through to the major advances that followed the Second World War.

The influential work of important international figures is considered, with a focus on the important growth that has taken place in the field in recent decades. Particular attention is paid to research on development in adulthood and old age and the relationship between the growth of developmental psychology and child rearing practice.

Preface vi

Acknowledgments ix

1 Establishing a Background for Developmental Psychology 1

2 Granville Stanley Hall and the Founding of Developmental Psychology 18

3 Additional Contributors and Contributions during the Child Study Era 34

4 Foundations for a Modern Science: The Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial and Developmental Psychology after World War I 57

5 Mainstream Advances in Developmental Psychology from the 1920s to the 1940s 77

6 Representative Theories of Development 102

7 The Origins of Life–Span Developmental Psychology 124

8 Nature, Nurture, and the Concept of Intelligence 143

9 Applications of Developmental Psychology: Advice to Parents and Teachers 170

10 Critical Developments since World War II 195

Index 213

Dennis Thompson is Professor Emeritus in educational psychology at Georgia State University.  He has written widely on cognitive development during adulthood and the history of psychology and is the author of more than 50 publications.. These include A History of Developmental Psychology in Autobiography (edited with John D. Hogan, 1996) and Classic Films for Psychology (2006). He is editor of The Journal of Genetic Psychology.

John D. Hogan is Professor of Psychology at St. John′s University in New York. He is a fellow of the American Psychological Association and has been president of two of its divisions – the Society for General Psychology and International Psychology. His previous books include International psychology: Views From Around the World (edited with Virginia S. Sexton, 1992) and A History of Psychology in Autobiography (edited with Denis N. Thompson, 1996).

Philip M. Clark is an emeritus professor of psychology at Ohio State University.  He is a fellow of the Association for Psychological Science and of the American Educational Research Association.  He has had extensive editorial experience, has served as co–editor of Genetic, Social, and General Psychology Monographs, and is currently a consulting editor for the Journal of Genetic Psychology.