Life History and Child Development

Written by psychologists for psychologists interested in conducting life history research, focussed on explaining related behaviour.

Lei Chang (Author), Hui Jing Lu (Author)

9781009078658, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 26 June 2025

98 pages
22.8 x 15.1 x 0.6 cm, 0.16 kg

The biological life history (LH) theory has been increasingly utilized in psychology, especially in developmental psychology. However, there has not been a comprehensive text on the topic thatalso addresses applications in psychology. This Element fills this void. Organized into five sections, it initially delineates and explains the species-general concepts and principles forming LH theory, emphasizing that, although derived from observations between species, they can be used to explain individual differences within human populations. Grounded in the assumption of phenotypic plasticity, subsequent LH research conducted in psychology covers a wide range of cognitive and social behavioral domains. This body of LH research is discussed next. The Element concludes by presenting four broad recommendations, which, comprising one-quarter of the total content, provide specific directions for future LH research in psychology.

1. Introduction
2. Species-general frameworks of LH evolution and development
3. Human LH research in developmental psychology
4. Future directions for human LH research in psychology
5. Conclusion
References.

Subject Areas: Child & developmental psychology [JMC]