Rachel Gillibrand is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of the West of England.
Virginia Lam is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of East London.
Victoria L. O'Donnell is a psychologist and Director of Learning Innovation at the University of the West of Scotland

ContentsSection I Introduction to developmental psychologyChapter 1 What is developmental psychology?The debates of developmental psychology
What is ‘normal’ development?Chapter 2 Theoretical perspectivesWhat is a theory?
Theoretical perspectives
Psychoanalytical perspective of development
Biological perspectives on development
Learning perspectives on development
Cognitive perspective on development
Integrative perspectives in developmental psychologyChapter 3 Research methodsWhat is research?
The importance of understanding theoretical paradigms
Methods in developmental psychology research
Working with childrenSection II Cognitive and linguistic developmentChapter 4 Prenatal development and infancyHow to grow a baby: the roles of nature and nurture in early development
Prenatal physical development
Prenatal development of the brain
Prenatal abilities and behaviour
Risks to prenatal development: environmental teratogens and genetic errors
Birth
The neonate: basic states, movements and reflexes
The postnatal development of the brain
Infant vision
Infant audition
Infant touch, taste and smell abilities
Motor abilities in infancy
Cognitive abilities in infancy: general models and approaches
Infant attention
Infant learning and memory
Basic knowledge and understanding in infancy
Categorisation in infancy
Reasoning and problem-solving in infancyChapter 5 Language developmentWhat is language?
What communication is there before verbal communication?
The four components of language
How do infants’ early social interactions prepare them for later language?
Theories of development
Phonological development
Semantic development
Syntactic development
The development of pragmaticsChapter 6 Memory and intelligenceWhat is memory?
Memory in children
What is intelligence?
Intelligence in childrenChapter 7 The development of mathematical thinkingWhat is mathematical thinking?
Understanding number
The number system as a tool for thinking
Reasoning and solving problems with numbers
The step into rational numbersChapter 8 Theory of mindWhat is theory of mind?
How does theory of mind fit into a developmental perspective?
Theories explaining theory of mind
Theory of mind and children with autismSection III Social and emotional developmentChapter 9 Attachment and early social experiencesWhat is attachment?
Measuring attachment
Attachment and childcare
Attachment beyond infancyChapter 10 Childhood temperament and behavioural development
What is temperament?
Studying and measuring temperament
Explanations for differences in temperament
Temperament in the long termChapter 11 Development of self-concept and gender identityWhat are self-concept and social identity?
Theories in the development of the self-concept in children
Understanding gender categories: children’s gender identityChapter 12 Peer interactions and relationshipsThe peer group and peer interactions
Children’s friendshipsChapter 13 AdolescencePhysical changes during adolescence
Cognitive development and changes in the teenage years
Social development in the teenage years
Mental health in adolescence
Sex and relationship behaviour in adolescenceSection IV Clinical/applied aspectsChapter 14 Development psychology and educationThe application of developmental theory in classrooms
Five themes of ‘developmentally appropriate provision’ Chapt