Longitudinal Research on Individual Development
Present Status and Future Perspectives

This book examines the scope for longitudinal studies in a range of developmental fields.

David Magnusson (Edited by), Paul Casaer (Edited by)

9780521434782, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 18 November 1993

268 pages, 21 b/w illus. 9 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm, 0.56 kg

"...successful in presenting the variety of longitudinal research, issues concerning longitudinal studies, the variety of the study areas in which this method of research is most used, and, most importantly, the suitability of this methodology in studies of development...This [book] gives an excellent overview ofthe current research in human development, as well as hope for additional research using the power and the variety of longitudinal research." Michelle Kim-Leff, American Journal of Psychology

Longitudinal research is an essential element in the investigation of human development over time, with considerable advantages over more widely used cross-sectional research designs. This book examines the scope for longitudinal studies in a range of developmental fields, emphasizing the advantages of this approach for the investigation of causal mechanisms and processes and the dynamics of development over the lifespan. It also discusses methodological issues and some of the practical and ethical problems that longitudinal research may present. The distinguished contributors review normal and disordered development in the emotional, cognitive and social domains, including valuable discussions of gene-environment interactions, the maturation of the human brain, and issues relating to ageing.

List of principal contributors
Foreword
Preface
1. Human ontogeny: a longitudinal perspective D. Magnusson
2. Genes, experience and development S. Scarr
3. The human brain and longitudinal research in human development P. Casaer
4. Longitudinal research and a biology of human brain development and behaviour V. S. Caviness, P. A. Filipek and D. N. Kennedy
5. Cognitive, social and emotional development F. E. Weinert and W. Schneider
6. Developmental psychopathology: some historical and current perspectives N. Garmezy
7. Developmental psychopathogy as a research perspective M. Rutter
8. Longitudinal research on human aging: the power of combining real-time, microgenetic and simulation approaches A. Kruse, U. Lindenberger and P. B. Baltes
9. Development, aging and control: empirical and theoretical issues J. Brandtstädter
10. Some methodological issues in longitudinal research: looking ahead L. R. Bergman
Index.

Subject Areas: Epidemiology & medical statistics [MBNS]