Routledge Deconstructing Developmental Psychology

In this completely revised and updated edition, Deconstructing Developmental Psychology interrogates the assumptions and practices surrounding the psychology of child development, providing a critical evaluation of the role and contribution of developmental psychology within social practice. Since the second edition was published, there have been many major changes. This book addresses how shifts in advanced capitalism have produced new understandings of children, and a new (and more punitive) range of institutional responses to children. It engages with the paradoxes of childhood in an era when young adults are increasingly economically dependent on their families, and in a political context of heightened insecurity. The new edition includes an updated review of developments in psychological theory (in attachment, evolutionary psychology, theory of mind, cultural-historical approaches), as well as updating and reflecting upon the changed focus on fathers and fathering. It offers new perspectives on the connections between Piaget and Vygotsky and now connects much more closely with discussions from the sociology of childhood and critical educational research. Coverage has been expanded to include more material on child rights debates, and a new chapter addresses practice dilemmas around child protection, which engages even more with the "raced" and gendered effects of current policies involving children.This engaging and accessible text provides key resources to inform better professional practice in social work, education and health contexts. It offers critical insights into the politics and procedures that have shaped developmental psychological knowledge. It will be essential reading for anyone working with children, or concerned with policies around children and families. It was also be of interest to students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels across a range of professional and practitioner groups, as well as parents and policy makers. Review "This continues to be an excellent and comprehensive source book for developmental psychology whilst at the same time putting the whole enterprise thoroughly "on trial". It constitutes a genuinely "critical psychology", and has made an invaluable contribution to debates about childhood, parenting and the development of children over the years. I think it will continue to be an invaluable book well into the future." – Dr Lisa Baraitser, Birkbeck, University of London, UK "This book is a much needed contribution to the discipline of critical psychology. It acts as a vital eye-opener to both undergraduate and postgraduate psychology students, as well those engaged in other disciplines which draw upon developmental frameworks as to the pathologising ways of dominant developmental discourses." – Dr Jenny Slater, Sheffield Hallam University, UK "As always, the content of Dr Burman’s work is exemplary. Ever since the first edition of the book came out, this has been a great work to refer to, when one looks at constructing alternating discourses of childhood. It is also one of the few books that truly recognizes the importance of colonial discourses." – Dr Radhika Viruru, Texas A&M University, US About the Author Erica Burman is Professor of Education at the University of Manchester, UK, Visiting Professor at the Centre for the Study of Migration and Society at the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa, Visiting Professor in the Instituto de Psciologia at Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil, Visiting Professor in Cibersomosaguas, Facultad de Ciencias Politicas y Sociologia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain and Adjunct Professor, Department of Social Work and Child Welfare, Oslo and Akershus University College, Norway