Social Development

This authoritative, engaging work examines the key role of relationships in child and adolescent development, from the earliest infant–caregiver transactions to peer interactions, friendships, and romantic partnerships. Following the sequence of a typical social development course, sections cover foundational developmental science, the self and relationships, social behaviors, contexts for social development, and risk and resilience. Leading experts thoroughly review their respective areas and highlight the most compelling current issues, methods, and research directions. End-of-chapter suggested reading lists direct students and instructors to exemplary primary sources on each topic.

"This volume covers exciting research advances in social development, with chapters from the best scholars in the field. It is an invaluable resource for social development researchers and an extraordinary text for graduate or upper-level undergraduate courses. Anyone interested in the social development of children and adolescents should read this book."--Martha J. Cox, PhD, Director, Center for Developmental Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill"A great guide to social development in childhood and adolescence. Leading authorities provide comprehensive overviews that incorporate the foundations of the field, the latest findings, and cutting-edge research directions. Newcomers will learn essential information, while experts will have lots of interesting new ideas and findings to ponder. This book is an excellent text for both advanced undergraduate and graduate courses. It is organized around multiple themes (self and relationships, social behaviors, contexts, and risk and resilience), which provides a deeper perspective than any single theme could. The number and length of chapters make it easy to design a syllabus around. This book is truly a winner!"--Wyndol Furman, PhD, John Evans Professor and Director of Clinical Training, Department of Psychology, University of Denver"Underwood and Rosen are leaders in the field, and their contributors are active scholars who present both established and cutting-edge knowledge. Virtually every area of social and personality development has an excellent corresponding chapter. This is a go-to reference for students at all levels interested in the relationships that make us who we are, from the beginning of life to adolescence. I've used many chapters with great success in my advanced undergraduate personality and social development course."--Philip Rodkin, PhD, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign -The editors have wisely chosen to narrow the field of child development enough to be able to provide a meaningful guide to an important area....Up-to-date research is presented in a clear style....The book is a useful resource for lecturing, and as a reading list recommendation it gives students an academically rigorous overview. For clinicians, it gives updates on literature and a reminder of why the assessment of childhood social relationships can be so valuable from the point of view of mental health and social adjustment. It is possible to dip in and out of this book or read it as a cohesive whole. I would highly recommend it to clinical and academic colleagues alike.--The Psychologist, 7/17/2011

Marion K. Underwood, PhD, is an Ashbel Smith Professor of Psychological Sciences in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences at the University of Texas at Dallas. Dr. Underwood’s research examines anger, aggression, and gender, with special attention to the development of social aggression. Her work has been published in numerous scientific journals. She received the Chancellor’s Council Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award from the University of Texas at Dallas, was granted a K02 Mid-Career Independent Scientist Award from the National Institute of Mental Health, and is a Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science.Lisa H. Rosen, PhD, is Clinical Assistant Professor in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences at the University of Texas at Dallas, and works with the University's Center for Children and Families. Dr. Rosen’s research examines risk factors for and consequences of peer victimization, and her work has been published in numerous scientific journals. She received the William C. Howell Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research and Scholarship and was granted an Early Career Travel Award by the Society for Research in Child Development.