Introduction

This major new textbook by Jaan Valsiner focuses on the interface between cultural psychology and developmental psychology. Intended for students from undergraduate level upwards, the book provides a wide-ranging overview of the cultural perspective on human development, with illustrations from pre-natal development to adulthood. A key feature is the broad coverage of theoretical and methodological issues which have relevance to this truly interdisciplinary field of enquiry encompassing developmental psychology, cultural anthropology and comparative sociology.

The Text Organization

The text is organized into five coherent parts:

Part 1: Developmental theory and methodology;

Part 2: Analysis of environments for human development

Part 3: Cultural organization of pregnancy and infancy;

Part 4: Early childhood development; and

Part 5: Entering the world of activities - culturally ruled.