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The Classic Edition of Heidi Keller's Cultures of Infancy, first published in 2007, includes a new introduction by the author, which describes for readers the original context of her work, how she has further developed her research and thinking, and the ongoing relevance of this volume in the context of future challenges for the field.In its original volume, Cultures of Infancy presented the first systematic analysis of culturally informed developmental pathways, synthesizing evolutionary and cultural psychological perspectives for a broader understanding of human development. In this compelling book, Heidi Keller utilizes ethnographic reports, as well as quantitative and qualitative analyses, to illustrate how humans resolve universal developmental tasks in particular sociodemographic contexts. These contexts are represented in cultural models, with three distinct models addressed throughout the text: the model of independence with autonomy as developmental organizer; the model of interdependence with relatedness as the developmental organizer; and the model of autonomous relatedness representing particular mixtures of autonomy and relatedness. The book offers an empirical examination of the first integrative developmental task during the early months of life—relationship formation. Keller shows that early parenting experiences shape the basic foundation of the self within particular models of parenting that are influenced by culturally informed socialization goals. With distinct patterns of results that the studies have revealed, Cultures of Infancy helps redefine developmental psychology as part of a culturally informed science based on evolutionary groundwork. Scholars interested in a broad perspective on human development and culture will benefit from this pioneering volume.

The Myth of Attachment Theory confronts the uncritical acceptance of attachment theory – challenging its scientific basis and questioning the relevance in our modern, superdiverse and multicultural society – and exploring the central concern of how children, and their way of forming relationships, differ from each other. In this book, Heidi Keller examines diverse multicultural societies, proposing that a single doctrine cannot best serve all children and families. Drawing on cultural, psychological and anthropological research, this challenging volume respects cultural diversity as the human condition and demonstrates how the wide heterogeneity of children's worlds must be taken seriously to avoid painful or unethical consequences that might result from the application of attachment theory in different fields. The book explores attachment theory as a scientific construct, deals with attachment theory as the foundation of early education, specifies the dimensions that need to be considered for a culturally conscious approach and, finally, approaches ethical problems which result from the universality claim of attachment theory in different areas. This book employs multiple and mixed methods, while also going beyond critical analysis of theory to offer insight into the implications of the unquestioning acceptance of this theory in such areas as childhood interventions, diagnosis of attachment security, international intervention programs and educational settings. This volume will be a crucial read for scholars and researchers in developmental, educational and clinical psychology, as well as educators, teachers-in-training and other professionals working with children and their families.

Most German-speaking researchers in the area of infant development are familiar with the research conducted in English. However, most English-speaking researchers are relatively unaware of the work currently being done in German. This volume is designed to remedy this imbalance and to promote international collaboration. The book's contributors -- an exciting and innovative group of German-speaking scholars -- provide up-to-date summaries of theoretical, methodological, and empirical perspectives on development. They review evidence and present points of view of great interest to all people who are committed to furthering our collective understanding of development in infancy.

Ausgehend von der öffentlichen Diskussion um die ichbezogene Generation und die individuellen und gesellschaftlichen Konsequenzen analysiert Heidi Keller das frühe Erziehungs- und Sozialisationsumfeld von Kindern. Vom ersten Tag an orientiert sich elterliches Verhalten an psychologischer Autonomie. Die Einzigartigkeit, Individualität und insbesondere die innere Welt der Wünsche, Bedürfnisse und Vorlieben stehen zu Hause wie auch in der Kita im Mittelpunkt. Westliche Mittelschichtkinder wachsen daher in einem konsistenten Sozialisationsmilieu auf. Bisher wenig beachtete Konsequenzen dieser Erziehung werden anhand von Beispielen aufgezeigt, wie etwa dem Trotzverhalten, der Abhängigkeit von der ungeteilten Aufmerksamkeit der Eltern und der Verminderung sozialer Kompetenzen.

Attachment between an infant and his or her parents is a major topic within developmental psychology. An increasing number of psychologists, evolutionary biologists and anthropologists are articulating their doubts that attachment theory in its present form is applicable worldwide, without, however, denying that the development of attachment is a universal need. This book brings together leading scholars from psychology, anthropology and related fields to reformulate attachment theory in order to fit the cultural realities of our world. Contributions are based on empirical research and observation in a variety of cultural contexts. They are complemented by careful evaluation and deconstruction of many of the underlying premises and assumptions of attachment theory and of conventional research on the role of infant-parent attachment in human development. The book creates a contextual cultural understanding of attachment that will provide the basis for a groundbreaking reconceptualization of attachment theory.

Exploration and play behaviour form the subject of this book, in which a wide range of research activities, both theoretical and practical, are presented from various fields. In particular, the emphasis on applications (for example, in the development of software) demonstrates the integrated approach to basic and applied research. The authors come from many different countries and represent various theoretical approaches, enabling the reader to acquire an up-to-date overview of the field and thus form an opinion of his/her own regarding this field of research.

Kindheit wird von kulturellen Mustern geprägt. Wie können Kinderpsychotherapeuten, Kindergärtnerinnen, Erzieherinnen, Eltern … aktiv mit der kulturellen Vielfalt in unserer Gesellschaft umgehen? Professor Heidi Keller und ihr Team haben zwei grundlegende kulturelle Muster identifiziert, die durch die sozialen Erfahrungen im ersten Lebensjahr angelegt werden und deren Kenntnis sich in der Praxis als äußerst hilfreich erwiesen haben. Sie werden in diesem Buch gut verständlich und praxisnah aufbereitet: Wahrnehmen der eigenen kulturellen Brille Wahrnehmen der Praktiken anderer Kulturen als gleichberechtigte Lebensformen. Was bedeutet das konkret? Und wie kann man das Wissen in Therapie, Erziehung und Beratung nutzen? Die Akzeptanz unterschiedlicher kultureller Muster ist notwendige Voraussetzung für gelungene Integrationsbemühungen. Das Buch möchte dazu einen Beitrag leisten. Geschrieben für Kinder- und Jugendlichenpsychotherapeuten, Erzieherinnen, Kindergärtnerinnen, Mitarbeiter von Beratungsstellen, Eltern, interessierte Laien.

Between Culture and Biology breaks away from the traditional nature/nurture dialectic and brings together biological, psychological and cultural perspectives on development. In this thought-provoking book, the argument is put forward that the biological bases of behaviour and cultural context should be approached in an integrated fashion to properly understand ontogenetic development and that both the cultural and biological demain provide constraints and opportunities for development. It also examines the influence that various perspectives have had on developmental theory and the extent to which cultural ideas and practices reflect biological and psychological constraints. By drawing together editors and contributors who are all leading experts in their field, with diverse theoretical perspectives from a range of disciplines Between Culture and Biology develops an integrative approach to this fascinating topic while preserving intellectual depth and complexity.