Complaints are often made that recommendations about how to rear children are contradictory and, therefore, not helpful. In this Element we survey the history of theory and research relevant to childrearing in an attempt to show how apparent differences can be resolved. We suggest that socialization occurs in different domains, with each domain fostering socialization in a different way. Thus there is no all-purpose principle or mechanism of socialization but, rather, different forms of relationship between child and agent that serve a different function, involve different rules for effecting behavior change, and facilitate different outcomes. Using this framework, we survey research relevant to different domains, including the roles played by parents, siblings, and peers in the socialization process. We follow this with a discussion of how culture and biology make their contribution to an understanding of domains of socialization.

For many years students who took courses in social development had no text available for their use. Those of us who instructed them had to rely on assigning journal articles to be read and providing an overview and syn thesis of the area in our lectures. In the last few years, the situation has changed markedly. There are now several very good textbooks that fill the void, reflecting an increasing interest in this area of research and theory. Here is one more. There are many ways to tell a story. Our book, we think, tells it dif ferently enough to have made it worth the writing. As we began to talk, some time ago, about undertaking this project, we found we had a mutual interest in trying to present the study of social development from a histori cal point of view. The field has changed dramatically from its inception, and we have both been in it long enough to have witnessed first-hand a number of these changes. Modifications of theoretical orientations and the de velopment of increasingly sophisticated and rigorous methodology have brought with them the stimulation of controversy and growth, as social developmental psychologists argued about the best ways of going about their business. Certainly the same things have happened in other areas of psychology, but the arguments seem to have been particularly vigorous in our own domain."

*Update of the only comprehensive reference work on socialization: 45% new material includes eight new chapters/topics. *Exciting research developments in genetics, brain functioning, and more are included. *Hot topics include moral development, the media as a socializing agent, and behavioral genetics. *Contributors are leading researchers in the field.

Grounded in pioneering research, this authoritative text examines the parenting strategies that help children and adolescents develop into productive, happy members of society. Joan Grusec gives students and practitioners a roadmap for navigating the vast, seemingly contradictory literature on parenting. Rather than advocating one "best" style of parent-child interaction, Grusec identifies five domains of socialization and shows that different ways of responding to children are appropriate for each one. Chapters on each domain--protection, reciprocity, control, guided learning, and group participation--combine theory, empirical findings, cross-cultural considerations, and real-world applications. Personal recollections from culturally diverse young adults illustrate how parents helped impart important life lessons. Learning exercises present examples of children's behavior and invite the reader to select the most effective parenting action from several possible options.

Grounded in pioneering research, this authoritative text examines the parenting strategies that help children and adolescents develop into productive, happy members of society. Joan Grusec gives students and practitioners a roadmap for navigating the vast, seemingly contradictory literature on parenting. Rather than advocating one "best" style of parent-child interaction, Grusec identifies five domains of socialization and shows that different ways of responding to children are appropriate for each one. Chapters on each domain--protection, reciprocity, control, guided learning, and group participation--combine theory, empirical findings, cross-cultural considerations, and real-world applications. Personal recollections from culturally diverse young adults illustrate how parents helped impart important life lessons. Learning exercises present examples of children's behavior and invite the reader to select the most effective parenting action from several possible options.

*Update of the only comprehensive reference work on socialization: 45% new material includes eight new chapters/topics. *Exciting research developments in genetics, brain functioning, and more are included. *Hot topics include moral development, the media as a socializing agent, and behavioral genetics. *Contributors are leading researchers in the field.