Fundamentals of Developmental Psychology

Nearly 20 years after the first edition captivated readers, Fundamentals of Developmental Psychology returns in its third edition, offering a thoroughly updated and enriched exploration of developmental psychology. Building on the success of previous editions, this new version reflects the latest discoveries and evolving perspectives in the field, while maintaining the clarity, accessibility, and engaging style that have made it a favourite among students and instructors alike. New chapters on 'Prenatal Development,' 'Development in Adolescence,' and 'Development of Self' expand the book's scope, while integrated examples of atypical development and global perspectives reflect the diversity of developmental trajectories and the growing emphasis on decolonizing the curriculum. The book continues to balance cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development, while emphasizing the importance of theory in explaining developmental changes, going beyond mere description to uncover the mechanisms that drive growth and change. Designed with pedagogy at its core, this edition is packed with features to support learning and engagement. Bolded key terms, chapter aims, stop and think boxes, chapter summaries, example essay questions, and further reading are included to support learning and engagement, alongside a complete glossary for clarity. Perfect for introductory courses, this third edition provides a comprehensive yet concise introduction to developmental psychology. With its engaging content, full-colour illustrations, and student-friendly organisation, it inspires curiosity and critical thinking while equipping readers with the tools to explore the complexities of developmental psychology and the fascinating journey of human growth and change. Accompanied by support materials, instructors can access lecture slides summarising key content with diagrams from the book, a test bank of multiple-choice questions for assessment, and an online glossary for easy download. A letter to instructors also provides guidance on using the text and highlights major updates from the previous edition.

Peter Mitchell is Emeritus Professor in Cognitive Development in the School of Psychology at the University of Nottingham. His main research interests are the development of an understanding of the mind in typical and atypical development and visuo-spatial abilities in autism. Fenja Ziegler is an Associate Professor in Psychology at the University of Lincoln. Fenja's main research interest is the imagination and its role in social decision-making, mentalizing and perspective-taking in narrative and space, which she studies in children and adults. Sarah Rose is an Associate Professor in Child Psychology and Education at University of Staffordshire. Her main research interests are in children's creative development, including the pictures they draw, the ideas they come up with and the problems that they solve.

Foreword 1. Themes and Perspectives in Developmental Psychology 2. Prenatal development: focusing on environmental influences 3. Early Socialisation and Emotional Development: The Role of Caregivers 4. Developing an Ability to See the World 5. The Development of Communication and Language Skills 6. The Development of Thinking: Piaget and His Legacy 7. Numerical Development 8. What Children Understand About the Mind 9. Development of Self 10. The Role of Heredity and Environment in Intelligence 11. Developmental Conditions 12. Children's Drawing and Understanding of Picture 13. Moral Development 14. Development Aggression 15. Navigating the changes in adolescence Glossary Index