Socioemotional Development in Cultural Context

Filling a significant gap in the literature, this book examines the impact of culture on the social behaviors, emotions, and relationships of children around the world. It also explores cultural differences in what is seen as adaptive or maladaptive development. Eminent scholars discuss major theoretical perspectives on culture and development and present cutting-edge research findings. The volume addresses key aspects of socioemotional functioning, including emotional expressivity, parent–child and peer relationships, autonomy, self-regulation, intergroup attitudes, and aggression. Implications for culturally informed intervention and prevention are highlighted.

Praise for Socioemotional Development in Cultural Context
Chen and Rubin bring together an impressive array of scholars who have dedicated their careers to understanding the ways that emotions, self-regulation, attachment, ethnic identity, and peer relationships, among many topics, are shaped by the cultural context in which they develop. 
--Niobe Way, Department of Applied Psychology, New York University; President, Society for Research on Adolescence

This volume signals a new stage in our thinking about the role of culture in socioemotional development. As the distinguished contributors demonstrate, the study of culture has moved from description to process, from static to dynamic, and from a single- to a multilevel enterprise. Scholars and students across a range of disciplines will find the volume's theoretical, applied, and policy insights of great value. Highly recommended.
--Ross D. Parke, Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Emeritus, University of California, Riverside

A major step toward the transformation of developmental psychology into a comparative science of human development. Leading developmental psychologists point to the need for cross-cultural research on child development, conceptualize the roles of culture and cultural context in socioemotional development, and present findings from many parts of the world.
--Robert A. LeVine, Roy Edward Larsen Professor of Education and Human Development, Emeritus, Harvard University

Developmental psychology comes of age in this volume. The book presents multicultural data collected with care by able scientists.... A truly state-of-the-art work.
--Michael Harris Bond, Chair Professor of Psychology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China

An inspiring, innovative exploration of major areas of socioemotional development across divergent cultures.... Chen, Rubin, and the contributing authors are leading scholars, and this book is a testament to their contributions to the field.
--Abraham Sagi-Schwartz, Department of Psychology and Director, Center for the Study of Child Development, University of Haifa, Israel

Publication Information
Guilford Press, April 2011
Hardcover ISBN 978-1-60918-186-4, $60.00     ORDER
E-Book ISBN 978-1-60918-188-8, $60.00
338 pages