Between Culture and Biology: Perspectives on Ontogenetic Development (Cambridge Studies in Cognitive and Perceptual Development)

Author: Heidi KellerPublisher: Cambridge University PressHardcover:ISBN 10: 0521791200ISBN 13: 978-0521791205Breaking away from the traditional nature/nurture dialectic, this study brings together biological, psychological and cultural perspectives on development. It asserts that the biological bases of behavior and cultural context should be approached in an integrated fashion to properly understand ontogenetic development and the constraints and opportunities for development. It also examines influences on developmental theory and the extent to which cultural ideas and practices reflect biological and psychological constraints. Book Description Between Culture and Biology breaks away from the traditional nature/nurture dialectic and brings together biological, psychological and cultural perspectives on development. 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. About the Author HEIDI KELLER is Professor of Psychology and Head of the Department on Culture and Development at the University of Osnabrück, Germany.YPE H. POORTINGA is part-time Professor of Cross-Cultural Psychology at Tilburg University in the Netherlands and at the University of Leuven in Belgium.ALEX SCHÖLMERICH is Professor of Psychology at the Department of Developmental Psychology of the Ruhr-University, Bochum.