Integrates the views of dynamical systems concepts with a behavioral view of development. This book emphasizes learning as the major process for change in development and the integration of environmental influences with genetic and historical factors.

Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors 1. Introduction A Behavioral Systems Approach A Dynamical Systems Approach What Is Development? A Natural Science Approach to Development The Continuum of Scientific Disciplines Metaphors for Understanding Developmental Levels Reductionism and Antireductionism Behavioral Systems and Developmental Psychology The Central Role of Learning for Development The Evolutionary Significance of Learning A Parallelism Between Evolution and Learning What Do Developmental Psychologists Do? Summary Note 2. Modern Developmental Theory The Importance of Theory Four Dimensions on Which Theories Differ Judging Developmental Theories: Seven Criteria Research Designs in Behavioral Development A Behavioral Systems Approach Principles of Dynamical Systems Organism-Environment Model Developmental Questions for Research Summary Notes 3. Behavior Genetics The Human Genome Controversy: The Role of Genetics in Development Behavior Genetics: The Structures Genetic Functions Genetic Variability Sources of Development: The Combined Roles of Heredity and Environment Does Behavioral Development Result From Interactions? What Factors Transact In Human Development? How Do Genes and Environment Interact? A Behavioral View: Person-Environment Interactions A Behavioral Systems Approach Summary Notes 4. Prenatal, Birth, and Postnatal Periods Periods of Prenatal Development Principles of Prenatal Development The Earliest Environment A Closer Look at Teratogens Reproductive Risk Versus Caretaking Casuality Getting Ready for the World Postnatal Development: The Remarkable Newborn The Neonate′s Ability to Respond to the Environment Sensory Abilities Perceptual Abilities as Universal Behaviors Reflexes as Universal Behaviors How Do Reflexes Change? Summary Note 5. Learning I: Habituation and Respondent Learning Learning as a Natural Selection Process Classifying Stimuli Functional Stimulus Classes Types of Learning Habituation Contiguity and Learning Respondent Learning The Treatment of Fears and Phobias: An Application of Respondent Learning Operant Learning Response Classes and Operants How Do Operants and Respondents Differ? Summary Notes 6. Operant Learning The Contributions of B. F. Skinner (1904-1990) What Is a Contingency? The Three-Term Contingency The Four-Term Contingency The First Term: The Response The Second Term: The Consequence The Third Term: The Discriminative Stimulus (Sd) The Fourth Term: The Setting Event (SE) or Establishing Operation (EO) What Changes? The Development of Acquired Reinforcing Stimuli Operant Learning and Dynamical Principles of Development Summary Notes 7. Cognitive Development Piaget′s Theory of Cognitive Development Piaget′s Stages of Cognitive Development Vygotsky′s Theory of Cognitive Development Behavioral Approaches to Cognitive Development Fischer′s Skill Learning Approach to Cognitive Development Skill Theory and Behavior Analysis Stimulus Equivalence and Cognitive Development Summary Notes 8. The Development of Communication Structure Versus Function: Clashing Theories A Structural Approach: Psycholinguistics A Functional Approach: The Analysis of Verbal Behavior Early Stages of Language Development Language Development as Skill Learning Summary 9. Personality and the Self Personality: Biological Theories Personality: Behavioral Approaches A Behavioral Systems Approach to Personality Gender Differences The Self Summary Note 10. Social and Emotional Development Why Study Social and Emotional Development? Processes in Social Behavior Social Behaviors as Reinforcers Observational Learning Prosocial Transactions: Intuitive Parenting The Origins of Social Phenomena The Power of Touch Fear Social Referencing Sibling Rivalry and Jealousy Social Cognition and Environment Prosocial Behaviors in Early Childhood The Development of Morality Summary Note 11. Development of Antisocial Behaviors What Are Antisocial Interactions? The Origins of Aggression A Behavioral Systems Approach Coercive Family Process: Basic Training of Antisocial Behavior in the Home The Development of Aggression Changing the Behavioral Systems: Parent Training Three Keys to Effective Parenting A Behavioral Systems View of Physical Child Abuse Summary 12. The Family System Families as the Mediators of Society and Culture The Universal Functions of Parenting The Social and Cultural Context of Families The Family as a System of Systems The Functions of Family Members Levels of Systems: How Society Influences Child Development What Happens When the Role is Absent or Changed? The Effects of Divorce Patterns of Family Discipline Children in the Context of Poverty Summary Note 13. Schools The Schools as Agents of Society and Culture The Functions of Education Type S and Type F Systems Learning and Teaching Teaching as Applied Developmental Psychology What Makes for Effective Teaching What and How to Teach: Final Comments Summary Notes 14. Adolescence What Is Adolescent Behavioral Development? Physical Development and Behavior Environmental Factors Affecting Puberty Moral Behavior and Reasoning Personality Development During Adolescence Parenting Style Family and Social Support Systems Behavioral Disorders During Adolescence Love and Romantic Relations Adolescent Attachment and Separation Summary 15. Behavior Disorders of Childhood What Are Behavioral Disorders? Behavior Disorders Usually First Diagnosed in Infancy, Childhood, or Adolescence What Causes Behavior Disorders? Assessment of Behavior Disorders Types of Behavioral Disorders Summary Glossary References Name Index Subject Index

"The book very nicely incorporates behavior analysis and modern developmental theories. . . . Another nice feature is that it is not encyclopedic; it organizes the disparate developmental phenomena in terms of principles and mechanisms. . . . The writing style is easy to follow and suitable for college students. The scholarship and coverage are excellent."