Heidi Keller

Myth of Attachment Theory

Klaus Schneider

Bruce Henderson

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.

Curiosity and Exploration

Cultures of Infancy presents 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, author 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, and three distinct models are 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-relationship formation during the early months of life. 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 the studies have revealed, Cultures of Infancy will help redefine developmental psychology as part of a culturally informed science based on evolutionary ground work. Scholars interested in a broad perspective on human development and culture will benefit from this pioneering volume.

Cultures of Infancy

Taylor & Francis Group

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. Divided in four sections, 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.

A Critical Understanding for Multicultural Societies

The Myth of Attachment Theory

Dieses Handbuch ist einem Lebensabschnitt (0 - 3 Jahre) gewidmet, in dem es noch etwas zu entdecken gibt. Ziel ist es, nicht nur neuere Entwicklungen und Trends in der Kleinkindforschung darzustellen, sondern auf dem Hintergrund der vorhandenen Wissensvielfalt Bilanz zu ziehen: - Wo steht die Kleinkindforschung nach ca. 30 Jahren intensiver Forschungsbemühungen? - Was sind die Themen? - Welche theoretischen Orientierungen leiten die Forschung? - Mit welchen Methoden wird gearbeitet? - In welchen Fachbereichen werden Erkenntnisse in Anwendungen umgesetzt, nachdem Längsschnittstudien die querschnittliche Betrachtungsweise ersetzt haben und die ökologische wie die systemische Betrachtungsweise breite Zustimmung erfahren haben? Eine Besonderheit dieses Buches ist die ausführliche Darstellung entwicklungspsychologischer Methoden.

Handbuch der Kleinkindforschung

Hiltrud Otto

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.

Cultural Variations on a Universal Human Need

Different Faces of Attachment

Hans-Georg Voss

Curiosity and Exploration: Theories and Results provides a systematic review of research on curiosity and exploration and is intended to present theories, methods, and research findings and to compare these with other fields of psychology. The text discusses topics on various aspects of curiosity and exploration such as the historical development of curiosity research; theoretical approaches to fully explain the phenomena of curiosity and exploration; developmental perspective in the study of curiosity and exploration; and the author's summary and evaluation at the end of the book. Psychologists will find the book to be very interesting.

Theories and Results

This groundbreaking reconceptualization of attachment theory brings together leading scholars from psychology, anthropology and related fields to reformulate the theory to fit the cultural realities of our world. It will be of particular interest to scholars and graduate students interested in developmental psychology, developmental anthropology, evolutionary biology and cross-cultural psychology.

Michael E. Lamb

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.

Heidi Keller

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